Interview with the head of Islamic Injunctions Department

The notorious Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice as it was known during the rule of the Taliban, is up and running once again, but under a different name - the Islamic Injunctions Department - and has different priorities. In the past, the ministry was known for its harsh rules and regulations that often discriminated against women. Denying recent reports that Bollywood movies and female voices had recently been banned from the airwaves, officials at the new department say they are merely trying to promote what they describe as "the correct version of Islam". In an exclusive interview with IRIN in the capital, Kabul, the head of the Islamic Injunctions Department, Dr Sayed Abbas Qasemi, said his department was promoting Islamic values but not forcing them on people like the Taliban had done. QUESTION: Why was this department set up? ANSWER: This is the General Department of Islamic Injunctions [Riyasat-e Omumi-ye Ershad-e Eslami: literally: General Directorate of Islamic Guidance], which is the part of Ministry of Religious Affairs [Vezarat-e Ershad va Owqaf: literally: Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments] of the Afghan Transitional Government. This department was formed during the presidency of Burhanuddin Rabbani (1994-96) and named of [the Ministry for the] Promotion [of] Virtue and Prevention of Vice as a part of the president’s office. It continued under the Taliban, but they changed some of the rules. After the Mujahidin retook Kabul [December 2001], a decree restored all the departments and its personnel formed during Rabbani’s rule. As the Taliban's Ministry of Vice and Virtue abused people's rights, because of the atrocities against people carried out under this ministry, the new leaders changed the name to the Department of Islamic Injunctions. Q: Why is it important for Afghanistan to have this department? A: Afghanistan is an Islamic country and 99 percent of its citizens are practising Muslims. This department, as part of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, serves the people by promoting Islamic values. Q: What exactly do you promote? Can you explain in detail? A: We work under the guidance of the Minister of Religious Affairs, who is part of the transitional cabinet, which is responsible as a whole to President Hamid Karzai. So we work under the supervision of the cabinet and the ministry. Our work is three-dimensional. We have a communication unit, which produces a magazine by the name of Payam-e Haq [Message of Truth]. We also produced two publications containing the works of contemporary and past Islamic writers. We also arrange training, learning and academic seminars and conferences on Islam. We hold religious functions in the mosques and other places of worship, educating people about Islam. The staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs also consults us on religious matters. Q: Do you feel that the people of Afghanistan have lost the meaning of Islam because of years of fighting? A: All over the world, people engage in and promote their view of Islam by propagating it through media and other sources of communication and information. We don't know if people have lost the real meaning of Islam. We just want to remind them of the correct meaning of Islam. As Afghanistan is an Islamic county, we promote the Islamic culture and civilization because it is our heritage. Q: How important is religion in Afghanistan, and do you think it is being respected by foreigners working in the country ? A: From the day the Afghans embraced Islam, we have always sacrificed for it and promoted it. Islam is an integral part of our culture. For example, during the Anglo-Afghan wars [in the 19th century] and during the Soviet invasion, Afghans fought to defend their homeland and religion. Afghan culture is Islamic, and religion is deeply entrenched in our national character. For example, prayer is our culture, veiling is our culture, so Islamic tenets are part of the Afghan culture. We want to preserve our culture and the foreigners should also respect our culture. Q: How have the rules in the ministry changed from the Taliban times - for women in particular? A: The Taliban stopped women from working and getting education. But under the Islamic democracy today they are free to work and attend school. We also have a separate department for women which promotes Islamic teachings about women. In Kabul city you can notice a big change in people. Both men and women [are] pursuing their livelihood in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere. Q: What is your position on women working and foreign Muslim women in Afghanistan? A: The high position given to women by Islam is unmatched. Islam is not against the presence of women in political, cultural, economic and social and even military spheres of life. We follow Islam, and it has given women tremendous rights. So women can play their roles in all spheres of life, and they should defend their rights. We welcome all Muslim and non-Muslin foreign women, who are here to serve our countrymen. We welcome them as respectable guests. The Taliban, who justified their tyrannies in the name of Islam, no longer rule Afghanistan. Q: Do you permit Afghan women to travel alone in the country? A: It depends on them. If they have their own vehicles and security they can travel alone. Q: Do you accept Afghan women on radio and television? A: Yes, but only under the umbrella of Islam. Which means they must adhere to dress codes. Q: Do you feel that the foreign women working in the country are a bad influence on Afghan women in terms of dress etc? A: Afghanistan is a democracy now and nobody is forced to do anything, unlike under the Taliban. Everybody is free to act according to their own upbringing while respecting the civilized human values. I am convinced [of the need] to respect the people who are serving humanity. We are Muslims, but we tolerate other cultures and religions. Islam is a religion of nature. We do not force people to accept something. Islam is for Muslims only and non-Muslims cannot be forced to accept it. Q: I understand that people from your department are talking, going out to mosques to talk to people about Islam. Why are you using this method ? A: We do not go to people or force them to listen to us. They voluntarily come to us to learn and seek guidance in religious matters. Q: What kind of Islamic country you would like Afghanistan to be ? A: I am familiar with many Islamic countries and I prefer those who are participating in the reconstruction of our country. We would prefer an Islam where Allah’s will is obeyed by the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Unlike the Taliban, which imposed personal beliefs by force, we would like the true Islam to prevail in our society.