Everyone is having bad feelings when talking about the Taliban in Afghanistan, but how are the Taliban in Afghanistan in reality? Let’s find out!
While traveling through Afghanistan last year I had the chance of seeing it with my own eyes and not through the eyes of the media. I wanted to see it, so I just went.
What is the problem with the idea?
There are several problems, but the biggest is, I will not get a super authentic view of them. When the Taliban know that I am there, they will try to not show me the reality, at least it is what I am thinking.
Historical Context
Before diving into my personal observations, it’s important to understand some historical context. In this way I can put it without using some fault searching. The Taliban was brought to life in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan. Following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. By 1996, they had taken control of Kabul. Implementing a strict interpretation of Sharia law until the U.S. came in 2001. The Taliban were not being kicked out of the country in general and did a lot of terror. After the U.S. left they were regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Listen to my podcast episode about this topic.
How was it for me?
Click here to read one of the three Personal Blog articles of Afghanistan.
It was weird coming here, after arriving from crossing the border with Tajikistan.
I was being controlled by some armed guards of the Taliban.
They took all my stuff and were just controlling every item in them, luckily they were not finding anything. I had to give them my phone, through which they were scrolling and trying to find things.
Basically many things are forbidden, especially anything sexual or something with women.
How were the Taliban in Afghanistan towards me?
In this case I am not able to say anything that bad.
Every Time I was in contact with them, they were positive, sometimes smiling and welcoming me.
Still it was weird being around them, because they were kind of suspicious toward me and of course armored.
So their behavior was respectful and often they don’t speak English, which is making it harder to communicate.
They saw me in the distance and I had a feeling of being watched while walking through the cities. When I was about to do something not allowed, they kindly asked me to stop what I was doing, so there was no reason to use further consequences.
How are the people feeling being under the control of the Taliban in Afghanistan?
This is a hard question to answer, because they won’t talk openly to me. They are being controlled even though you might not realize it right away when being there. Even in places where there might not be Taliban in sight, the fear is still there (that is at least what I could imagine).
The guide, who I had to have, tried his best to play under the rules of the Taliban. Also seemed to be a supporter in some way. At least with the women’s rights thing for example and other things. I won’t get further into detail due to it not being so necessary in this article.
One person was telling me in German something interesting “I am not doing well, due to things you are not able to see” and he was right. I am there as a tourist and I am not able to see the reality, especially not with a guide on my side who is also there to help provide a good image of the world.
I believe that the locals can’t be happy with the Taliban ruling, still if you follow the law the country is getting safer. You don’t need to be afraid that there will be bombing while just walking down the street. Still it is rough what they need to go through over the last decades.
What is my opinion of the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Important thing to say is, I felt uncomfortable but not scared or in danger. I never had the feeling of getting harmed over there, still I have a strong opinion.
Everyone is thinking that the right thing is something else. The Taliban probably do think that they are doing the right thing.
I believe that the Taliban are not all evil, but many of them haven’t learned anything besides fighting. Many are uneducated and many are using their power for not the good will.
They say that they are following the Sharia Law, but are doing many things which they should not be allowed doing under this law. Corruption is a good example. They are doing the Sharia law the way they want to do it and claim it to be right.
The Taliban are not able to control a country. They try their best, but they don’t fully understand how it is working and at the end the citizens are suffering under it.
The Taliban have their idea of the ideal world and seem to be manipulated big time. It is sad to visit this country and try to unseen those oppressors.
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