Famed Balkh Poet Clarifies Detention by Taliban Intelligence

DID Press: After being released, Sayed Sikandar Hussaini Bamdad, a renowned poet from Balkh province and head of the Ferdowsi Library in Mazar-i-Sharif, who was previously detained by the Taliban government’s intelligence agency, announced on Facebook that his detention was the result of a misunderstanding.

“I was at the Islamic Emirate’s Intelligence Directorate for eleven days to respond and clarify a misunderstanding related to cultural matters and the public services of Ferdowsi Public Library,” said Hussaini Bamdad. “During this period, I was not subjected to the slightest harassment, and the intelligence officers treated me with respect, for which I feel it is necessary to express my gratitude here,” he added.

Sayed Sikandar Hossaini emphasized that his love and commitment to the development of the country’s language, culture, and literature, and to honoring scientific and literary figures of Persian literature, have been his only motivation for participating in cultural activities and organizing literary gatherings, and that he had no other purpose or agenda.