A Surge in Mosque Construction
The Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, recently declared during the opening of a new mosque that the Taliban constructs dozens of mosques annually. His statement aimed to reinforce the Taliban’s commitment to religious devotion. The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs also reported that 29 hectares of land in ten provinces had been designated for building mosques, religious schools, and cemeteries.
Afghanistan already boasts one of the highest numbers of mosques per capita in the Islamic world. In cities like Kabul, parks and recreational areas have been converted into mosques, often disregarding urban planning. For example, Baharistan Park in Kabul’s Karte Parwan district now houses a mosque and a multi-story religious school, across the street from the prominent Haji Mir Ahmad Khan Mosque.
Religion in Public and Private Spaces
Afghanistan’s devout population fills mosques, particularly for Friday prayers, even leading to street closures in major cities. Since the Taliban regained power, public displays of religiosity have become even more pronounced, with citizens adopting traditional attire, carrying prayer beads, and attending all five daily prayers. In some cases, Taliban enforcers patrol public spaces to compel people to pray.
However, this outward display of piety contrasts sharply with the deeper virtues of Islam, such as honesty, kindness, and justice. Observers question whether religiosity should be measured by mosque attendance or by adherence to Islamic principles in everyday life.
Mosques as Instruments of Power
Throughout Islamic history, mosques have often been used by rulers as tools of political propaganda. From the Umayyad Caliphs to modern regimes, mosque pulpits have disseminated messages to solidify political power under the guise of religious authority. The Taliban are no exception. They mandate that preachers deliver Friday sermons supporting their regime, turning mosques into platforms for political ideology rather than spiritual enlightenment.
Imams, financially supported by the Taliban, are often required to promote the group’s image. In a society marked by widespread illiteracy, these sermons have a profound impact, enabling the Taliban to manipulate public perception and maintain control.
Superficial Religiosity vs. True Faith
While many Afghans are consistent in their prayers, fasting, and Quran recitations, societal issues like dishonesty, corruption, and prejudice persist. This superficial practice of religion often overshadows the essence of faith, which emphasizes compassion, justice, and integrity.
A study comparing nations based on values such as welfare, trust, and honesty found that many non-Muslim countries scored higher on Islamic ideals than Islamic nations. This raises critical questions about the true markers of religiosity and whether Afghanistan, rife with poverty, discrimination, and systemic gender inequality, aligns with the Islamic values it claims to uphold.
Mosque-Building vs. Public Welfare
From an Islamic perspective, acts of charity and assisting the poor hold greater spiritual merit than constructing mosques, especially in a land already filled with them. Worship in Islam can occur anywhere; a mosque is not a necessity. Yet, in Afghanistan, wealthy individuals and the Taliban prioritize building mosques over addressing urgent needs like providing food, clean water, or education.
The Taliban’s focus on mosque construction appears more about public image than genuine piety. Their mosque-building initiatives are announced with pride, even as poverty and economic struggles deepen. This raises the question: should the government invest in more mosques, or should it prioritize the basic welfare and development of its people?
Conclusion
While mosques are essential spaces for spiritual reflection, their overabundance in Afghanistan, coupled with the neglect of societal well-being, reflects a misplaced emphasis on appearances rather than substance. True faith lies in actions that uplift society, support the vulnerable, and promote justice values that Afghanistan’s leadership seems to overlook in favor of hollow displays of religiosity.
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