Wed Nov 20 05:16:51 UTC 2024: ## Taliban Intensify Book Ban, Removing “Un-Islamic” Literature Across Afghanistan

**Herat, Afghanistan** – The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has significantly escalated its campaign to remove books deemed un-Islamic or anti-government from circulation, according to multiple sources and firsthand observations. A commission under the Ministry of Information and Culture, established after the Taliban takeover in 2021, has identified over 400 titles for removal, with seizures occurring in markets, libraries, and at border crossings.

Reports from Kabul and Herat provinces indicate a two-pronged approach: proactive censorship at import points and reactive removal from existing stock. At the Islam Qala border crossing, Taliban officials were seen meticulously examining imported books, confiscating those containing images of living beings (prohibited under some interpretations of Islam) or deemed religiously objectionable. One official stated that books contradicting “religion, sharia, or the government” are banned.

A list obtained by AFP reveals some of the banned titles, including works by renowned authors such as Khalil Gibran (“Jesus the Son of Man”) and Ismail Kadare (“Twilight of the Eastern Gods”). Academic works analyzing Afghan history and politics have also been targeted.

While the Taliban claim they are not targeting specific countries or authors, the impact disproportionately affects non-Afghan and Western literature. Booksellers in Kabul and Takhar provinces report receiving lists of banned titles and are attempting to clear their stocks of these books at heavily discounted prices. Although enforcement varies across the country, fear of reprisal is widespread among publishers and booksellers.

One Kabul publisher, speaking anonymously, described a climate of fear, contrasting the current situation with the preceding government, where, while challenges existed, there was less direct censorship.

The Taliban’s actions are not limited to imported books. Reports indicate the removal of books from libraries and bookstores in several cities, raising concerns about access to information and cultural preservation. While the ministry has replaced some seized books with religious texts, the overall impact is a significant restriction on the availability of diverse literature in Afghanistan.

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