Author: M J Gohari
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 158
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0195795601
Description
This book is a concise depiction of the Taliban's military, social and political presence in Afghanistan.
Many hold the view that Islam discourages freedom of thought and action. This seems to be born out by common perception which sees Muslims as fundamentalist, radical and militant. In this book, M J Gohari describes the rise of a controversial movement which has been widely criticized by the West: the Taliban in Afghanistan. Dr Gohari describes the historical background of the movement in Afghanistan, outlines the context for rapid ascent to power of the Taliban, explains what the movement stands for, and analyses how it affects various groups in Afghan society. He also discusses the impact of the Taliban on Afghanistan’s neighbors and what he calls ‘the Taliban-UN dilemma’. Gohari concludes with a short chapter on the life and views of Bin Laden, which serves to demystify that elusive radical.
This is an informative account of Afghanistan under Taliban rule. While there is a lot of material on the Taliban (this) covers all aspects of the country…there would be an important argument for making the book a self-contained source for anyone wanting to know about Afghanistan today.
Contents
Dedication
Introduction
CHAPTER 1
AFGHANISTAN’S HISTORY
Before Islam
Islamic Conquest
From the Mongol Invasion to the19th Century
Development of the Modern State from Early 1900s to the Taliban Rule
CHAPTER 2
THE MUJAHIDEEN
Burhanuddin Rabbani
Ahmad Shah Masoud
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar
Younus Khalis
Abd al-Rab Rasul Sayyaf
Sayyed Ahmad Gailani
Nabi Mohammadi
Ayatollah Mazari
CHAPTER 3
THE TALIBAN’S ISLAMIC THEOLOGY
The Hanafite School
Students, Schools, and Curricula
Sources of Influence on the Taliban’s Islam
CHAPTER 4
POLITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE TALIBAN RULE
Allah’s Governments
Contemporary Political Administrations of Allah
Iranian Example
Saudi Example
The Taliban Socio-Political Doctrine
The Taliban and Democracy
CHAPTER 5
THE TALIBAN AND ECONOMY
Economic Development and the Islamic World
A Theological Insight to the Islamic Economy
Grounds for Culmination of the Islamic Economy
The Economy in Conformity with Other Islamic Systems
Resilience of the Islamic Economy
Afghanistan’s Economic Account
Economic Significance of Afghanistan at Ancient Times
Afghanistan’s Economic Resources
Economic Administration until 1994
Taliban’s Economic Agenda
Drug Business and Taliban Economy
Grounds for Western Investment in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Nature Resources
Historical Oil and Gas Survey
Energy Sector under the Taliban
Climate
Transportation
Communications
CHAPTER 6
SOCIAL ORDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER THE TALIBAN
Taliban and Education
Ethnic and Religious Minorities
Civil Rights
Women and the Taliban Rule
CHAPTER 7
THE TALIBAN AND AFGHANISTAN’S NEIGHBOURS
Export of the Islamic Caliphate
The Taliban and Pakistan
The Taliban and Iran
India and China
Central Asian Neighbors of Afghanistan
CHAPTER 8
BIN LADEN
Bin Laden’s Life
His Outlook
Bin Laden and the ‘Fatwa’ against the US American and Taliban Row over Bin Laden
CHAPTER 9
A Word on the Taliban --- UN Dilemma
Conclusion
Further Reading
Index