‘Keep an eye on Deoband Madrasa’: Taliban’s ‘biggest enemy’ sends Diwali greetings and warning to India and Hindus after Muttaqi’s visit

He is a staunch critic of the jihadist agenda of the Afghan Taliban.

New Delhi: Former Afghan President Amrullah Saleh has extended Diwali greetings to Indians and Hindus around the world. He also issued a warning for India. Amrullah Saleh is a staunch critic of the jihadist agenda of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani military. At the time of the Taliban’s capture of Kabul in August 2021, he served as Vice President in the then Ashraf Ghani government. He later joined forces with Ahmad Masood, an insurgent leader from the anti-Taliban faction.

Warning regarding Deoband Madrasa

Saleh wrote in a post on Instagram, “Happy Diwali to all Indians and Hindus around the world! Wishing you all good health. In the meantime, please take care of the Deoband Madrasa.” Saleh’s comments are being linked to the visit to India this month by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan. During his visit to India, Muttaqi visited the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary.

Muttaqi’s Deoband visit

The Indian government’s decision to allow Muttaqi to visit Deoband is also being seen as a subtle message from Delhi on girls’ education. Although Darul Uloom Deoband advocates for separate seating for boys and girls in classrooms, it has historically supported girls’ right to education. This stance is in stark contrast to the Taliban’s strict restrictions on girls’ education.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district on October 11.

Taliban’s Deoband connection

Darul Uloom Deoband is held in high esteem within the Taliban. Most Taliban leaders were educated at the Darul Uloom Haqqania Madrasa in Akora Khattak, Pakistan. This madrasa propagates the Hanafi Deobandi school of Sunni Islam. The Haqqania Madrasa was founded by Maulana Abdul Haq, who also studied at Darul Uloom Deoband. His son, Maulana Sami ul Haq, is considered the patriarch of the Taliban.