Sources told media outlets that local Taliban authorities prevented ceremonies for the National Uzbek Language Day in the districts of Baghlan-e Markazi, Yangi Qala in Takhar, and Imam Sahib in Kunduz.
According to the sources, these events, planned by Uzbek cultural activists, were canceled due to opposition from the Taliban. The ceremony in Baghlan-e Markazi had reportedly been planned with prior coordination with Taliban officials but was ultimately not allowed to proceed. This action is seen as part of oader restrictions on cultural and linguistic activities in Afghanistan.
This ban follows a similar move in Badakhshan province. Recently, the Taliban's governor for Badakhshan, Rahmatullah Najib, blocked an Uzbek Language Day event in Faizabad city. That ceremony was scheduled for October 22 and had been officially approved by the Taliban's Directorate of Information and Culture, but the governor ordered its cancellation the night before.
Some sources suggest that after the Badakhshan governor's order, the prohibition on such events was extended to other areas, although it is unclear if the Taliban government has issued a nationwide directive.
The previous Afghan government had designated October 20 as National Uzbek Language Day, and it was celeated annually in public and private institutions. The Uzbek language is one of Afghanistan's three official languages, alongside Dari and Pashto.
The Taliban government has repeatedly obstructed various cultural, religious, and ethnic ceremonies in recent years. These actions include preventing Shia mourning rituals during Muharram and removing Dari and Uzbek inscriptions from the signboards of some government institutions, raising concerns about cultural and linguistic rights in the country. Source: Afghanistan International
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