Hamid Khurasani, a Tajik-born Taliban commander, has apologized to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
DUSHANBE, November 31 — Sputnik Tajikistan. Hamid Khurasani, a Tajik Taliban commander, has declared "jihad" against Tajikistan in the past.
According to a video obtained by Sputnik Tajikistan from Hamid Khurasani's people, the Taliban commander* began his speech by greeting the "civilized people of Tajikistan" and said that everything he had previously said about Tajikistan and the respected Emomali Rahmon, the president of this country, was based on incorrect information because at that time he did not properly know the people and the president of the republic.
"According to the analysis and information we have received, Tajikistan adheres to Islam, and its people are Muslims. Throughout history, Tajiks and the people of Tajikistan have given the world so many great people that no other nation has ever had," Khorasani said.
Mentioning the names of Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmizi, Imam Muslim, Imam Abu Hanifa, scholars and great Islamic figures, the Taliban* commander pays tribute to the historical and cultural figures of Tajikistan, Abuabdullo Rudaki, Mavlono Balkhi, and Ismail Somoni, whose names are written in golden letters not only in the history of Tajiks but also in all of Asia and the world.
"For this reason, we sincerely apologize to the people of Tajikistan and its esteemed government for everything we said in the past. We are one nation and followers of high culture," he said.
Hamid Khorasani, a native of Panjshir, Afghanistan, and a controversial and scandalous Taliban commander*, has previously called on the people of Tajikistan to wage "jihad" because their government has banned "satr and hijab" (female Muslim clothing).
Tajik officials have openly stated that their goal is to ban the wearing of foreign clothing, including Iranian, Afghan, Arab, and Turkish, while Tajik national clothing fully complies with the standards of Islamic hijab.
Khorasani concluded his speech by calling on the youth of Tajikistan not to be deceived by criminals and those who do not have a proper understanding of Islam, and to return to their homes.
"I hope that my message will not cause misunderstanding, I was not under any duress in saying these words. The truth is that we have learned the truth," the Taliban commander* said.
Hamid Khorasani's apology came as media outlets reported talks between Tajik authorities and the Taliban* in Kabul. According to these reports, Dushanbe and the Taliban* are trying to find ways to achieve lasting peace and negotiate.
* The organization is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities.
