Taliban urges Afghans to plant trees for the 'worldly good'
Government dismisses statement as attempt to 'deceive public' and distract from 'crimes'
The leader of the Taliban has used a rare public statement to call on Afghans to plant more trees for "the worldly and otherworldly good".
Published in four languages, the official release from cleric Haibatullah Akhundzada said "the Mujahideen and beloved countrymen must join hands in tree-planting" and urged Afghan civilians and Taliban fighters to "plant one or several fruit or non-fruit trees for the beautification of Earth and the benefit of almighty Allah's creations".
"Planting trees and agriculture are considered actions which hold both worldly good and benefit as well as immense rewards in the hereafter," said Akhundzada.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is an "uncommon move" for the group, which has recently published unsigned statements on a range of issues such as civilian casualties, upcoming military operations and the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops in the 1980s, says The Independent.
The Taliban has been waging an insurgency against the government in Kabul and its Nato coalition backers since being ousted in 2001. After the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops in 2014 it made slow, steady gains, and is now believed to control more than 40 per cent of Afghanistan.
Yet while it is mostly known for its insurgent attacks, the Taliban "retains its political aspirations and has often worked to provide basic services and assert connections in communities in areas it controls", says The Independent.
Akhundzada's statement cites Islamic tradition and the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammed to reinforce its environmental message, says the Daily Telegraph.
But a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani dismissed it as an attempt to "deceive public opinion" and distract from the Taliban's "crimes and destruction".
Wahid Muzhda, a political analyst in Kabul, said announcements like this from the Taliban – and other statements where it claims to be building roads and bridges – "could be part of a campaign to show that they would provide enlightened leadership in areas of the country that they control".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published