Taliban’s Interior Minister Receives Over 4 Billion Afs in 11 Months As Operational Fund

Per the Ministry's statement, the presence of Abdul Hadi Omar, a Taliban representative in Cologne is considered wholly unacceptable, underlining that Germany will not endure any attempts to establish a platform for radical Islamist ideologies within its borders.

The Ministry underscored the Taliban's extensive record of human rights abuses, highlighting Germany's role in providing refuge to numerous Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban's oppressive regime.

Moreover, the Ministry disclosed that German authorities are vigorously investigating the situation. They have also requested a comprehensive explanation from the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs in Germany about this issue.

Abdul Bari Omar, the Taliban's director of the Food and Drug Administration, recently proclaimed on the X social platform that he remains in Europe following his visits to the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, and Germany.

Omar disclosed his interactions with various "Afghan ambassadors and diplomats" during his tour, though the identities of these officials remain undisclosed. While withholding names, Omar pledged to soon release photos of these meetings.

Previously, images showing Omar's attendance at events in the Netherlands and Germany emerged, sparking significant public outcry. The details of how Omar secured a visa from a European country are still unclear.

The German Foreign Ministry and the Dutch Health Minister, Ernst Kuipers, have both announced plans to investigate Omar's visit to their countries. This visit has sparked controversy, with many critics viewing it as an attempt to legitimise the Taliban, notorious for their human rights violations.

A photo showing Omar alongside Minister Kuipers has been particularly contentious, attracting criticism from figures like Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands. Wilders slammed the photo as a "scandal" and "disgraceful," criticising Kuipers for associating with a member of the Taliban, whom he describes as "murderers and extremists."

Responding to the backlash, Kuipers expressed his ignorance of Omar's Taliban links at the time of the photograph and regretted the encounter. He also announced an investigation into Omar's attendance at a conference in The Hague.

Kuipers further addressed the issue on the X social platform, conceding that taking the photo was an error and an incident that should not have happened.

This initiative, valued at two billion Afghanis, aims to bolster the region's water resources.

As per the Taliban's disclosure, the proposed dam is expected to reach a height of 50 metres and will be capable of holding approximately 60 million cubic metres of water. This capacity is anticipated to facilitate the irrigation of around 8,000 hectares of agricultural land, potentially enhancing the region's agricultural productivity.

The project's responsibility has been assigned to the group’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. This announcement was broadcast by Radio Television Afghanistan, now under Taliban control.

This development follows the inauguration of the Kamal Khan Dam in the Chahar Burjak district of Nimruz by Ashraf Ghani, the former president of Afghanistan, in March 2021. The Kamal Khan Dam, which was constructed over a period of four years at a cost of USD 78 million, represents a similar endeavour to improve the region's water management and agricultural infrastructure.

Omar revealed he had engaged with various "Afghan ambassadors and diplomats" during his tour, though the identities of these officials were not disclosed. Despite withholding names, Omar promised to release photos of these meetings soon.

Previously, images showcasing Omar's participation in events in the Netherlands and Germany had surfaced, eliciting strong public reactions. The specifics regarding how Omar obtained a visa from a European country remain unclear.

The German Foreign Ministry and the Dutch Health Minister, Ernst Kuipers, have both declared intentions to investigate Omar's visit to their countries. This visit has been contentious, with many critics decrying it as an attempt to legitimise the Taliban, known for their human rights abuses.

A photo depicting Omar alongside Minister Kuipers has been particularly controversial, drawing criticism from figures like Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands. Wilders condemned the photo as a "scandal" and "shameful," criticising Kuipers for being photographed with a member of the Taliban, which he labels as a group of "murderers and extremists."

Kuipers responded to the backlash by expressing his unawareness of Omar's Taliban affiliation at the time of the photo and regretting the interaction. He also announced an investigation into how Omar managed to attend a conference in The Hague.

Kuipers further addressed the issue on the X social platform, admitting that taking the photo was a mistake and something that should have never occurred.

Ali Maisam Nazary, the NRF's Head of Foreign Relations, has urged German authorities to prevent their country from becoming a platform for spreading extremist ideologies and terrorism.

Nazary's comments come in the wake of a controversial speech by Abdul Bari Omar, the Taliban's Food and Drug Administration director, at an Islamic center in Cologne. This event has caused reactions among Afghan expatriates in the city and drawn criticism from German citizens and officials.

Nazary highlighted the dangers of the "genocidal and totalitarian ideology" promoted by Taliban figures like Omar, emphasizing the global threat they pose. The NRF representative called for a unified stand against terrorism amidst rising global concerns.

Omar's presence in Germany has been widely criticized. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, defended Omar's speech, saying it focused on Afghanistan's security and reconstruction. However, Tim Achtermeyer, a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, condemned the event, expressing dismay over the platform given to the Taliban.

The German Foreign Ministry has also responded, condemning Omar's speech and presence, and investigating his entry into the country. The Ministry clarified that it does not recognize the Taliban government and did not issue a visa to Omar.

The Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs, which owns the building where Omar spoke, stated that their trust was abused. They claimed that an Afghan association had requested the space for a religious ceremony, which unexpectedly turned into a political rally featuring Omar, who was "unknown" to the union.

Despite the controversy, Omar defended the Taliban government in his speech, urging the audience to consider their "achievements" rather than media portrayals. He also shared images and videos of his speech on social media.

On 6 November, the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported Omar's attendance at the World Local Production Forum in The Hague, Netherlands.

The photo, taken in Germany, shows Qaderi alongside Abdul Bari Omar, the Taliban's National Food and Drugs Administration Director, who recently delivered a contentious speech in Cologne, Germany.

Omar, during his visit to an Islamic center in Cologne, lauded the Taliban leadership and government. His speech and presence have sparked significant reactions. The German Foreign Ministry, expressing strong disapproval, is probing Omar's entry into Germany, stating that no visa was issued for him. However, the Taliban's Bakhtar news agency reported Omar's participation in the World Local Production Forum in the Netherlands.

Qaderi, residing in Belgium since 2010 and granted asylum there for two years, regularly endorses Taliban activities on social media, including YouTube. In anticipation of Omar's visit, Qaderi teased "good news and historical events" on a social network while driving in the Netherlands.

In June, Belgian Deputy Minister of Immigration Nicole de Maure called for a reassessment of Qaderi's asylum status, highlighting the contradiction in his support for a regime he allegedly fled. Qaderi, celebrating his actions, posted: 'It is necessary for the Muslim nation to spare their lives and money in this way. Almighty Allah wanted the Muhammadan flag to be officially waved by my hands on the continent of Europe, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar.'"