Non-Muslims including Hindus and Sikhs are ‘worse than animals’… fanatic Taliban minister spews venom

A minister of the interim Taliban government ruling Afghanistan has made an objectionable statement about non-Muslims. Khalid Hanafi, the minister for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice in the Taliban government, has said that non-Muslims, including Hindus and Sikhs, are “worse than animals”. His statement came at a time when the Taliban is divided into two factions and there is a tussle to get the throne of Kabul. Hanafi is the Taliban leader who announced a ban on women’s education and jobs in Afghanistan, which was supported by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Expatriate Afghan minorities condemned

According to the report of Afghan International, the representative of Afghan Sikh and Hindu immigrants in the United Kingdom condemned the objectionable statements of Khalid Hanafi. He termed this statement as provocative and also expressed deep concern about the minorities in Afghanistan. He stressed that no one has the right to insult another religion and warned that such rhetoric could further threaten the small number of Sikhs and Hindus remaining in Afghanistan. He said these comments could force many to leave the country fearing for their safety and religious freedom.

Who is Khalid Hanafi

Khalid Hanafi’s full name is Sheikh al-Hadith Mohammad Khalid Hanafi. He is educated from Madrasa. Khalid’s father Habibullah was a senior commander of the Taliban. He was born in Kolam Shaheed village in Doabi district of Nuristan province of Afghanistan. He completed his primary education from his grandfather and also received modern education. He has studied up to 12th in total. After this he joined the Taliban as a Mujahideen. From here his own definition of jihad developed in his mind and he became a fanatic.

Hanafi has been a Taliban terrorist

Khalid was involved in jihadi activities with his brother Maulvi Rustam during the first phase of Taliban rule. He also formed a group of jihadi fighters in Nimroz and Delaram districts. Although he was once badly injured in an encounter, he maintained his relations with the Taliban. In the current government, he holds the post of Minister for Propaganda of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Known for his tough stance, Hanafi enforces the Taliban’s fatwas and social restrictions.