Wednesday, First of Ramadan; Crescent Moon Confirmed in Several Provinces. The Taliban Supreme Court announced that Wednesday, 18 February 2026, will mark the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in the country. According to the statement, in the provinces of Parwan, Kandahar, Helmand, and Zabul, several citizens reported sighting the Ramadan crescent and
Cultural–Literary Gatherings in Taloqan and Kabul Honoring Navoi and Babur. On the anniversary week of Ali-Shir Nava’i and Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur, separate cultural and literary programs were held in Takhar Province and Kabul. In Taloqan, the capital of Takhar, an impressive cultural gathering was organized at the initiative of local youth activists. Cultural figures, poets,
Commemoration of Three Prominent Figures of the Turkic World — Navoi, Babur, and Feraqi — in Istanbul, Turkey. A grand gathering was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, to honor three distinguished figures of the Turkic world and classical literature: Ali-Shir Nava’i, Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur, and Magtymguly Pyragy. The event brought together Navoi scholars, Babur researchers, and
Fake Turban Ceremonies; The Commercialization of Religion in Taliban Schools. In recent months, the “turban market” in Taliban-affiliated jihadist schools has surged unprecedentedly—a trend that, according to several scholars and religious experts, reflects not genuine religious education but an expensive, competitive, and deceptive display. Critics argue that the Taliban use these ceremonial graduations to mask
Afghan Citizens Angrier than the Taliban; Public Outrage at Religious Insults. Statements by the Taliban’s Minister of Information and Culture regarding “introducing children to religion” have sparked widespread public anger and disgust, which citizens view as blatant audacity and the appropriation of religion to justify domination. Critics argue that the Taliban, whose record is one
Honoring Amir Al-Kalam Alisher Navoi at a Scholarly and Literary Gathering in Frankfurt, Germany. A scholarly and literary gathering titled “The Political, Literary, Scientific, and Social Status of Amir Al-Kalam Alisher Navoi” was held in Frankfurt, Germany, to mark the 585th anniversary of the birth of the great poet and thinker. The event was attended
New Moral Scandal Within the Taliban; Senior Official Arrested in Kabul on Adultery Charges. Local sources report a new scandal within the ranks of the Taliban, in which a senior official of the group has been arrested in Kabul on charges of an extramarital relationship. This incident once again highlights the deep gap between the
Taliban Internal Sources: Senior Leaders Lack Basic Literacy. Informed sources from within the Taliban say that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Mullah Hassan Akhund, two key decision-making figures of the group, lack even basic reading and writing literacy. According to these sources, they are not only unable to read the Holy Quran directly from the
The explicit suppression of the Ja’fari sect in West Kabul; the Taliban forcibly removed symbols of Mid-Sha’ban. Local sources in West Kabul report that, coinciding with the arrival of Mid-Sha’ban, the Taliban have prevented the installation of flags and religious symbols through coercive and threatening behavior, and have taken down a number of installed flags
When Art Is Labeled as Rebellion; Taliban Intelligence Arrests Seyed Ghafar Agha in Kabul. Local sources report that Seyed Ghafar Agha, a well-known local artist and dambura player in Afghanistan, has been arrested by Taliban intelligence in Kabul, despite holding an official document of “general amnesty.” So far, the Taliban have provided no explanation for
