Taliban Leader Orders Restraint on Language Policy to Avoid Tensions

DID Press: Following controversy over the removal of Persian and Uzbek from signs at some educational centers in northern Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a new directive urging local officials to refrain from any actions that could inflame linguistic or ethnic tensions.

The order comes after reports of changes to multilingual signage in institutions, including universities in Samangan Province and Jowzjan Province, which sparked public reactions.

Akhundzada emphasized that local governors should prioritize social cohesion and avoid decisions that might heighten sensitivities around ethnicity and language.

These developments occur amid ongoing debates over language and ethnic identity, which remain highly sensitive issues in Afghanistan.