Althouse: "[S]pokesman Zabihullah Mujahid... who had been a shadowy figure for years, promised the Taliban would honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law..."

August 17, 2021

"[S]pokesman Zabihullah Mujahid... who had been a shadowy figure for years, promised the Taliban would honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law..."

"... though he gave few details. He said the group wanted private media to 'remain independent,' but stressed journalists 'should not work against national values.' And he promised the insurgents would secure Afghanistan — but seek no revenge against those who worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces. 'We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped,' he said. Earlier, Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, made similar promises, saying the Taliban would extend an 'amnesty' without giving details and encouraging women to join the government.... Meanwhile, women in hijabs demonstrated briefly in Kabul, holding signs demanding the Taliban not 'eliminate women' from public life."

AP reports.

49 comments:

madAsHell said...: That’s a definite maybe!; 8/17/21, 11:21 AM
Greg The Class Traitor said...: He said the group wanted private media to 'remain independent,' but stressed journalists 'should not work against national values.'

Wow, he sounds just like a Democrat!

And he promised the insurgents would secure Afghanistan — but seek no revenge against those who worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces.

I take it back, he's far more tolerant of dissent than any Democrat. See all the "these Trumpets should never have a job or life again!"; 8/17/21, 11:25 AM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: Now I know where Raggedy Psaki was for vacation. Writing that guy’s statement. The “we promise but” was even slicker than Biden’s “the buck stops but” from yesterday! I wonder if Joe’s marriage vow was “I do but” too.; 8/17/21, 11:48 AM
Jerry said...: In other words, within the norms of Islamic law as interpreted by the Taliban branch of the theology.

Do you forget the pictures of the Taliban stoning women pre-9/11 for violating some norm?; 8/17/21, 11:52 AM
gilbar said...: so, will they be fully accepting of transgender people?
The Taliban is a full partner in LBGTQYC rights;aren't they?
Aren't They?; 8/17/21, 11:56 AM
Wa St Blogger said...: Honoring women's rights in Islamic law means: You have the right to be the child bride of our brave warriors. You have the right to be stoned to death for being unaccompanied in public by a male member of your family (you know, the ones we just hung over there, down the street.) You have the right to wear this lovely tent. You have the right to be occupation free (unless you consider sex-salve an occupation.)

Also, we won't be going door to door to ask why you supported the great satan. We'll just assume it was because you are at war with Allah, and we will hang you and take your daughters as brides for our brave warriors. Through that, they can be redeemed and go to heaven and get 70 vir... oh, wait, that's only for our brave warriors.; 8/17/21, 11:58 AM
Yancey Ward said...: Dark humor times, I suppose.

The media will do a full court press about how the Taliban are "mostly friendly" for the next week or so before putting a blackout on all coverage from the country.; 8/17/21, 12:02 PM
Koot Katmandu said...: Watch what they do not what they say. I hope they have moderated but doubt it.; 8/17/21, 12:02 PM
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...: Did the AP just make that up for BS consumption?

"shadowy figure" - words that tell me bullshit and lies are afoot.; 8/17/21, 12:27 PM
The Neon Madman said...: Yes, the Taliban has learned how to play the P.R. game. They have become much more dangerous. The takeover was well done, relatively peaceably as far as we can see. There are reports of them paying off what civil opposition existed, the rest collapsed. This was well planned and executed. We will regret our failures here, military- and intelligence-wise, for a long time.; 8/17/21, 12:28 PM
tommyesq said...: When you recognize no rights for women, it is easy to honor such (lack of) rights.; 8/17/21, 12:34 PM
tommyesq said...: "He said the group wanted private media to 'remain independent,' but stressed journalists 'should not work against national values.'"

This is actually probably closer to the world-wide norm than the traditional U.S. freedom of the press viewpoint.; 8/17/21, 12:35 PM
Greg The Class Traitor said...: "[S]pokesman Zabihullah Mujahid... who had been a shadowy figure for years, promised the Taliban would honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law..."

Is that like promising to honor "cow's rights", but within the norms of a veal and steak selling slaughterhouse?; 8/17/21, 12:47 PM
Greg The Class Traitor said...: I do find it interesting that women are now higher on the "victim ladder" than gays. At last, I'm not seeing anyone pushing the Taliban to honor "gay rights"; 8/17/21, 12:49 PM
Mark said...: "Women's rights" within the norm of Islamic law.

As in, the right to remain covered, the right to be confined to your home, the right to not work or go to school, etc.; 8/17/21, 12:50 PM
Roger Sweeny said...: It can never be repeated too often, the wise words of Nixon Attorney General John Mitchell, "Watch what we do, not what we say."; 8/17/21, 12:57 PM
Todd said...: "[S]pokesman Zabihullah Mujahid... who had been a shadowy figure for years, promised the Taliban would honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law..."

That sure is a lot of words to day "property". Isn't that the "norms of Islamic law"? Women have the right to be beaten, not go out without their men-folk, to wear a Burka, get stoned to death if they get raped, etc.

More of that famous Biden competency on display AND no mean tweets!; 8/17/21, 1:00 PM
Mea Sententia said...: I am skeptical that they will honor women’s rights, as we in the West understand that, within the confines of their religious law. I am a tiny bit hopeful, though, that the seeds of a twenty year American presence there will not be without fruit.; 8/17/21, 1:16 PM
JPS said...: "And he promised the insurgents would secure Afghanistan — but seek no revenge against those who worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces. 'We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped,' he said."

That's an interestingly suspicious assurance.

People have already gone to the house my friend fled, asking for him by name and where he is. Strictly speaking, no, they didn't ask why he helped.; 8/17/21, 1:57 PM
Bart Hall said...: I'm old enough to remember the Iranian mullahs and ayatollahs presenting the same BS right after taking power.; 8/17/21, 1:57 PM
Big Mike said...: Anyone believe him?; 8/17/21, 2:06 PM
Mike of Snoqualmie said...: Yeah, women's rights to obey their fathers, husbands or sons. Their rights to report rapes then be stoned to death for adultery. Their rights to testify against men, as long as they have multiple witnesses. Their right to be one of multiple wives.; 8/17/21, 2:08 PM
Gunner said...: The 2021 Taliban is nothing like the 2001 Taliban! They use Tiktok and Twitter!; 8/17/21, 2:08 PM
WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...: Tweet:

"This is exactly how Ayatollah Khomeini answered questions when he first came to power. "Freedom of speech, human rights and women's rights will all be protected...in accordance with Islamic law". That means none of these rights will be protected."; 8/17/21, 2:17 PM
William said...: When Napoleon invaded Spain, he proclaimed as one of his reasons the wish to abolish the Spanish Inquisition. What could be worse than the Spanish Inquisition? Well, occupation by the French Army. It was a bit rich for the Spanish to object to foreign occupation, but they did. There was mass resistance to French occupation. It seems the Spanish liked the Spanish Inquisition.....On behalf of the Spanish Inquisition, I'd like to point out that over several centuries, the Inquisition only killed a few thousand people. That was a slow day during the French occupation. Beyond this, although torture was used in the Inquisition, the good friars did not castrate their enemies and nail them to a barn door to bleed out. The torture was kinder and gentler than that inflicted by the French Army and partisans against each other....The Spanish were successful in their struggle against the French and--happy day!--they were able to reinstitute the Spanish Inquisition. A generation later it died a natural death.....Here's to hope. Maybe, what with time and tide, the Taliban have changed some of their attitudes towards women. Or maybe now that there is a generation of educated women those women will be able to change the opinions of the men they live with....I'm not particularly sanguine, but maybe someday there will be an unforeseen consequence in Islamic lands that works out to the betterment of the people that live there.; 8/17/21, 2:34 PM
Ozymandias said...: Taliban will honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law: they get to choose between a black burka and a more stylish navy blue.

In other news, China’s President Xi Zhin Ping announced that the CCP would honor Uighur rights within the norms of life in a concentration camp.

Finally. breaking news: President Biden announced today that he would honor telling the truth within the norms of late-stage dementia and a life-long lack of integrity.; 8/17/21, 2:35 PM
Jerry said...: Islamic theocracy in 5...4...3...2...

Just what ARE the rights of women under a hard-line Islamic theocracy?

Look at what happened in Iran when it went full Islam.

Look at how the Taliban treated women pre-9/11.

I could be surprised. They may go "We're going to elevate women to our equals'.

But that's not how I'd bet.; 8/17/21, 2:43 PM
wildswan said...: I think Nancy Pelosi, Code Pink, Rapinhoe, and other similar types should charter a plane, paint it pink, name it "Sisterhood is Powerful" and fly it to Kabul. There they could burst in upon Taliban deliberations, wail like banshees and get the Taliban to acknowledge its misogynistic, heteronormative religion and its biases. And return in triumph. Or not.

But what's more likely is that Biden will fly in 30,000 unvetted Afghans consisting of the deserving, the frightened and a whole lot more Ilhan Omars While leaving 10,000 Americans in Kabul. Then, in an incredible unforeseen development it will turn out that the Taliban didn't mean what they said about amnesty and are holding hostages. Then Biden will show that the buck stops with the Taliban as he sends them more money. Then the Taliban will (gasp) discontinue the gender studies program - the pride of our trillion dollar investment. Oh, say it ain't so, Joe. Joe? Joe? Napping? what...; 8/17/21, 2:44 PM
Ironclad said...: Women’s rights through the “norms” of Islam. Let’s see.
1). Women only have half the mental capacity of men. Check
2). Beat them when disobedient ( but only so the bruises don’t show). Check
3). Must submit to husbands “desires” 100%. Check
4). Must be covered ( technically not face snd hands - but whose counting? Check

What a bargain! They will be lining up for this!

( all items proscribed in Quran - no exceptions made); 8/17/21, 2:50 PM
Mary said...: It’s the “but within the norms of Islamic law” that worries me. There’s a reason the Taliban have the reputation that they have. I’m not sure I’m buying this modern Taliban crap. One thing I’ve been thinking about over the past few days, all the men of the Afghan forces (and it is/was about 99% men) that laid down their weapons for the Taliban without resistance, what do they think will happen to the women in their lives. They have wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, it’s like they simply abandoned them. Or have they been feeling threatened by educated women? I’d like to know more about these Afghan soldiers because from what I read they outnumbered the Taliban 3-1 and they had the big guns. Makes no sense.; 8/17/21, 2:58 PM
etbass said...: Simple solution to me; just have all women identify as men and that should fix it. The Taliban is woke and will accept this as reality.; 8/17/21, 3:03 PM
Clyde said...: Of course Afghan women will be able to serve in government. They'll probably serve tea and cookies.; 8/17/21, 3:06 PM
Kevin said...: And what if they don't?

Well as Biden's spokespeople keep repeating, Joe has threatened them with the disapproval of "the global community".

That, and $17, will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks next year.; 8/17/21, 3:08 PM
Bob Boyd said...: Maybe they're also irreversibly bound by Trump's agreement.; 8/17/21, 3:12 PM
exhelodrvr1 said...: I wasn't expecting a comment about the Spanish Inquisition ...; 8/17/21, 3:44 PM
Narayanan said...: the thought comes to mind that leaving behind equipment and such was Biden's way of /not having to send them pallets of cash/ - hey do you see that $100 bill over there : not mine!!; 8/17/21, 3:45 PM
Joe Smith said...: So Caitlyn Jenner won't be on the cover of 'Jihad Today' magazine?; 8/17/21, 3:48 PM
Joe Smith said...: "On behalf of the Spanish Inquisition, I'd like to point out that over several centuries, the Inquisition only killed a few thousand people."

And yet, nobody ever expected them...; 8/17/21, 3:50 PM
Dave64 said...: Their ideas about women and the West's are night and day. I'm thinking he means women will be making sammiches for him and the boys!; 8/17/21, 3:55 PM
gspencer said...: Here's what Big Mo himself declared is normative Islam in terms of women,

Qur'an, Surah 4:34, "Sahih International: Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand."

NOW is sure to love the "and [finally] strike them" part.; 8/17/21, 4:26 PM
Greg The Class Traitor said...: Ozymandias said...
In other news, China’s President Xi Zhin Ping announced that the CCP would honor Uighur rights within the norms of life in a concentration camp.

Thank you, Ozymandias, that was the analogy I was looking for; 8/17/21, 4:38 PM
Greg The Class Traitor said...: So, just for future reference:

The Taliban wing of the Democrat Party favors gun control, and are in favor of free speech that does "not work against national values", like "tolarance" or CRT.; 8/17/21, 4:41 PM
rehajm said...: Just so yah know their norms of Islamic law also say to rid the world of infidels.; 8/17/21, 5:07 PM
LA_Bob said...: "...Meanwhile, women in hijabs demonstrated briefly in Kabul, holding signs demanding the Taliban not 'eliminate women' from public life."

Oh, the Taliban will not "eliminate women" from public life. They can be newsreaders, after all. But the women demonstrating in Kabul? They will be eliminated.; 8/17/21, 5:39 PM
Yancey Ward said...: exhelodrvr,

Don't make me get the comfy chair!; 8/17/21, 5:46 PM
tim in vermont said...: It's an old military tradition that if the commander surrenders the fort, or the mayor surrenders the city without a fight, mercy is shown, and if the invading army is forced to fight its way in, no quarter is given.; 8/17/21, 10:36 PM
Bunkypotatohead said...: They have more convincing liars than we do.; 8/18/21, 12:04 AM
Richard Aubrey said...: The educated women who might act as a useful leaven got that way because of American soldiers. Not sure dems and feminists are going to acknowledge that.; 8/18/21, 5:55 AM
Skippy Tisdale said...: the Taliban would honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law...""

And Jim Crow honored the rights of black folk, but within the norms of Antebellum law.; 8/18/21, 1:47 PM