Taliban Removes 'Un-Islamic' Literature in Afghanistan

The Taliban is intensifying its censorship efforts by removing books deemed 'un-Islamic' or anti-government, with a commission established under the Ministry of Information and Culture identifying over 400 titles for removal. This initiative involves checking imported books, confiscating texts from libraries, and distributing lists of banned literature, including Khalil Gibran's 'Jesus the Son of Man' and Ismail Kadare's 'Twilight of the Eastern Gods'. The ministry has replaced confiscated books with Islamic texts, primarily the Quran, while the extent of book removals remains unspecified. Publishers and government sources report widespread censorship and a climate of fear, contrasting with the previous regime when intellectual expression was less restricted. The Taliban's censorship also targets foreign literature, particularly from Iran, leading to broader limitations on intellectual freedom in Afghanistan. As the regime consolidates its power, the future of literary diversity and freedom of expression in the country appears increasingly uncertain.