Ariana Afghan Airlines says that on the first return flight carrying Afghan pilgrims to Kabul, it distributed a printed copy of Decree No. 17 issued by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada to passengers.
According to the airline’s press release, the aircraft’s cabin crew personally handed out printed versions of the decree to the pilgrims. In a published video, two flight attendants from Ariana Afghan Airlines can also be seen carrying copies of the decree and distributing them among the passengers on board.
The video shows a flight attendant waking an Afghan pilgrim from sleep and then giving him a copy of Mullah Hibatullah’s decree.
The decree issued by the Taliban leader calls on people to eliminate “undesirable customs” within their communities and to regulate social conduct in accordance with Islamic Sharia law. It also urges pilgrims to refrain from unnecessary expenses, expensive gifts, charitable distributions, and other traditional costs during welcome ceremonies.
Previously, decrees issued by Mullah Hibatullah have also been displayed on large billboards across various provinces of Afghanistan and conveyed to the public from mosque pulpits by imams.
Meanwhile, several international organizations and human rights groups have criticized certain Taliban decrees, describing them as being contrary to women’s rights, freedom of expression, and other fundamental freedoms.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
