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The Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, the establishment of a government in Kabul under its patronage, and the actions taken by the Soviet authorities that were perceived as an affront to the Islamic and national values prompted Afghans across the country to launch Jihad against the occupation and the government in power.
As a result of the Afghan people’s relentless struggle, the government of Dr. Najib collapsed on 28 April 1992, and the Mujahideen assumed power. Unfortunately, disagreements and internal conflicts among various factions led Afghanistan into a new phase of civil war. The country became fragmented among competing groups, factionalism and warlordism intensified, and ethnic, linguistic, regional, and religious divisions further destabilized the country, bringing it to the brink of disintegration.
Under these difficult circumstances, the Islamic Movement of the Taliban emerged from within the Afghan population in Asad of 1373 SH (August 1994) as a spontaneous movement and launched its struggle to rescue the country. It subsequently established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The fundamental objectives of this movement were to unite the nation, eliminate warlordism, put an end to ethnic, linguistic, regional, and religious divisions, and restore security, peace, and prosperity to the country under an Islamic system of governance. Its objectives also included creating an enabling environment for national development and establishing constructive political, economic, and other relations with neighboring, regional, and international countries on the basis of mutual respect, shared interests, and positive engagement.
In April 1996 (Hamal of 1375 SH), following a five-day grand gathering of more than 1,500 religious scholars in Kandahar, the founder of the movement, Mulla Mohammad Omar Mujahid, was bestowed with the title of Amir al-Mu’minin. The participants pledged allegiance to him and recognized the Islamic Emirate as the official and legitimate government of Afghanistan.
Subsequently, on 7 October 2001, when the United States and its allies launched their military intervention in Afghanistan and the country came under occupation, the Islamic Emirate once again succeeded in organizing and uniting the Afghan population across the country—from north to south and east to west—under its unified leadership through a carefully coordinated approach. It then conducted a sustained campaign against the occupation.
A defining characteristic of the Islamic Emirate's policy and struggle was that its efforts were exclusively focused on resisting the occupation within Afghanistan. It neither issued warnings nor directed threats against anyone outside Afghanistan. Rather, its entire focus remained on addressing the situation inside the country and bringing the occupation to an end.
Another distinguishing feature of the Islamic Emirate's political approach was its unity of position and consistency of stance. It maintained a single policy, a unified voice, and centralized leadership. No individual was permitted to independently establish separate fronts or adopt positions outside the established framework. Consequently, all attempts to create divisions within the movement proved unsuccessful.
This unified policy and disciplined political approach earned the Islamic Emirate recognition, respect, and credibility both domestically and internationally. Both its supporters and adversaries acknowledged the credibility of its statements and recognized its organizational discipline and internal cohesion.
Another defining characteristic of the Islamic Emirate, both in the past and at present, has been the gathering of its members under a unified leadership, based on Islamic faith, ideological commitment, and sincere intentions. The movement has never been personality-centered or hereditary in nature. Rather, it has continued as an organized ideological and political movement.
Evidence of this can be seen in the way leadership vacancies were addressed following the passing of two of the Islamic Emirate's leaders—the late Amir al-Mu'minin and the martyred Amir al-Mu'minin. In both instances, the Leadership Council assumed responsibility for filling the leadership vacuum.
Following 2009, when foreign forces revised their military and political strategy in Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate also began placing greater emphasis on political engagement alongside its military campaign. This approach contributed to the expansion of political contacts and helped create opportunities for broader international engagement.
Alongside these political efforts, the Islamic Emirate's Mujahideen continued their armed campaign against enemy forces in various provinces across Afghanistan.
In 2013, when the Islamic Emirate's Political Office was officially inaugurated in Qatar, the Islamic Emirate was able, within a relatively short period, to use this office to facilitate a prisoner exchange with the United States. Subsequently, it re-established contacts with neighboring countries, other regional and international states, as well as international organizations.
The Political Office also made concerted efforts to communicate the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's positions clearly to other countries and to foster an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence.
During that period, representatives of the Political Office participated at a high level in several meetings concerning the Afghan issue in Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan, representing one of the key parties to the conflict. They also undertook unannounced visits to a number of other countries.
In 2018, the Political Office in Qatar initiated direct negotiations with the United States. As a result of the sacrifices made by the Mujahideen on the battlefield, alongside sustained political and diplomatic efforts, the historic Doha Agreement was signed on 29 February 2020 (5 Rajab 1441 AH), paving the way for the withdrawal of the American occupying forces.
During the occupation, the Islamic Emirate did not consider the pursuit of its objectives to be limited solely to the military sphere. Rather, it maintained that achieving its objectives required coordination across political, cultural, social, and public engagement domains.
Accordingly, alongside its military activities, the Islamic Emirate also worked to strengthen its political presence, mobilize public support, organize administrative structures, and undertake the necessary preparations for governance.
During the occupation, the Islamic Emirate maintained a parallel administrative and governance framework through which it managed affairs in areas under the control of Mujahideen, operating through various commissions.
The Military Commission was responsible for carrying out the functions of the Ministries of Defense and Interior Affairs; the Cultural Commission undertook the responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Culture; the Political Commission performed the functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Education and Training Commission oversaw matters relating to the Ministries of Education and Higher Education.
Similarly, the Commission for Preaching, Guidance, Recruitment and Mobilization undertook responsibilities associated with the Ministries of Hajj and Religious Affairs and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The Commission for NGOs and Reconstruction carried out functions relating to the Ministry of Public Works.
In addition, a dedicated Commission for Prisoners was tasked with addressing matters concerning their rights. The Health Commission was responsible for providing medical treatment to wounded Mujahideen and delivering healthcare services to the population in areas under the Islamic Emirate's control. The Commission for the Prevention of Civilian Casualties and the Hearing of Complaints also carried out its responsibilities within its respective mandate.
Furthermore, courts remained operational throughout Afghanistan, addressing both civil and criminal cases brought before them.
This comprehensive approach enabled the Islamic Emirate to strengthen not only its military capabilities but also its capacity to assume political and administrative responsibilities alongside military developments.
On 15 August 2021 (24 Asad of 1400 SH), the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan conquered Kabul and once again assumed power following the victory of its sacred Jihad.
The first leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was the late Amir al-Mu'minin, Mulla Mohammad Omar Mujahid.
He was the founder of the Islamic Movement of the Taliban. In April 1996 (Hamal 1375 SH), following a gathering of more than 1,500 religious scholars in Kandahar, he was bestowed with the title of Amir al-Mu'minin. The scholars pledged allegiance to him and recognized the Islamic Emirate as the official and legitimate government of Afghanistan.
The late esteemed Amir al-Mu'minin passed away on 23 April 2013 (3 Sawr 1392 SH) in Zabul Province following an illness.
Following his passing (may Allah have mercy upon him), the leadership affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were carried out by his deputy, Mulla Akhtar Mohammad Mansour.
On 30 July 2015 (8 Asad 1394 SH), following extensive consultations and deliberations, the members of the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate, together with senior religious scholars and clerics possessing the requisite religious standing as Ahl al-Hall wa al-'Aqd (those qualified to deliberate on and determine matters of leadership), convened a meeting and appointed Mulla Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as the Emir of the Islamic Emirate.
On 21 May 2016 (1 Jawza 1395 SH), Mulla Akhtar Mohammad Mansour attained the honored status of martyrdom in a drone strike carried out by US occupying forces. May Almighty Allah accept his sacrifice.
As the appointment of a new leader is an obligatory responsibility upon the Muslim community following the death or martyrdom of an Imam or Amir, the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, a distinguished body comprising a large number of prominent religious scholars, professors of Tafsir and Hadith, religiously committed political figures, and individuals with extensive experience in Jihad, convened a formal meeting.
Following thorough deliberations, careful consideration, and a comprehensive assessment of religious and Jihadi interests and considerations, the Council unanimously appointed the respected Sheikh-ul-Hadith Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada as the new leader of the Islamic Emirate on 25 May 2016 (5 Jawza 1395 SH). All members of the Council pledged allegiance to him as the legitimate Shar’i ruler. In the month of Saratan 1401 SH (July 2022), approximately 3,500 religious scholars and elders held a three-day meeting in the Loya Jirga hall and, at the end, renewed their pledge of allegiance to His Highness Amir al-Mu’minin (may Allah protect him) as the Shar’i ruler of the country.
