Taliban minister labels penal code critics as “infidels”

Neda Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education, has declared that critics of the group’s recently ratified penal code are “infidels”. Speaking at a ceremony in Paktia, Nadim claimed that all Taliban laws and decrees are strictly in accordance with Sharia, implying that any opposition equates to opposing Islam itself.

The new penal code has drawn widespread condemnation from religious scholars, human rights activists, and political figures, who argue it contradicts fundamental human rights and true Islamic teachings. Critics maintain that the code reflects the Taliban’s specific, hardline interpretation of religion rather than universal Islamic values.

Observers view this rhetoric as a dangerous attempt to stifle dissent and legitimize the group’s restrictive policies by using religious labels. By branding critics as non-believers, the administration seeks to eliminate freedom of expression and instill fear in anyone questioning their governance.

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