The following report is a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM).
In a recent interview, senior Afghan cleric Sheikh Abdullah Zakiri called for jihad against the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. Zakiri is a widely respected Islamic scholar and a former jihadi commander who fought against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Currently, he is believed to be hiding somewhere in Pakistan.
In recent days, Zakiri has become active, issuing statements and fatwas (Islamic edicts) against the U.S. and organizing Afghan clerics to reinforce the jihadist movement in Afghanistan. He is also Chief of the Ittehad Ulema-e-Afghanistan, an organization of Afghan Islamic scholars which is opposed to the U.S. and the Karzai government in Afghanistan.
Zakiri had been underground in recent years. His recent statements acquire importance in the wake of the proposed Afghan-U.S. strategic partnership agreement, which will allow the U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014.
Sheikh Abdullah Zakiri's interview was published in essay form by a website belonging to fugitive militant commander and former Afghan Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the chief of Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (the second largest militant group after the Taliban).
Following is the text of his interview as translated from Pashtu language:[1]
"The U.S. is an Infidel Aggressor Which Invaded a Muslim Country; Jihad is Obligatory against It As Per the Sacred Law of Islam"
"The U.S. is an infidel aggressor that invaded a Muslim country, committed countless crimes, murders, lootings, plundering, and cruelties. There is no [other] example of [such] cruelties and aggression. Jihad is obligatory against [the U.S.] as per the sacred law of Islam.
"Allowing such an infidel, against which jihad is obligatory, [to remain] in the country is very dangerous. It is like a man sitting in his room and the roof caves in; the man is considered to be a martyr. But if a man sitting inside a room deliberately gets the room demolished upon himself and dies, he is considered a murderer of his own self.
"The U.S. came here against our permission and occupied our country by force. It was not a big issue because it was a cruelty imposed on us. Our death from their hands was martyrdom. However, if we wilfully agree to their existence and aggression, it is a very cursed act as per the Islamic viewpoint and not legitimate as per the principles of any nation or religion.
"Those who made decisions [in the governance of Afghanistan since 2011], as we said in the past, were the servants of Russia and the United States, not Afghans [or] Afghans' representatives. Their decisions have no Islamic, lawful, or international status. Jihad against America will continue as usual even if a single Muslim remains in Afghanistan."
"The U.S. should Accept Our Three Demands: i) Withdraw Its Crooks [i.e. Soldiers], ii) Publicly Admit Defeat [in Afghanistan], iii) Compensate Afghans"
"What is it that the United States shares with us, which led them to invade our country, and now they dream of staying here? Like in the past, nothing could be expected but destruction.
"On the other hand, [Afghan President Hamid] Karzai is a cruel man who repeatedly said that [the U.S./NATO troops'] night raids and attacks should not be conducted, but again he complains with tearful eyes that they do not obey his instruction. How will he be able to stop the United States tomorrow?
"Shall we be allowed to go to the U.S., preach Islam, and invite them to paradise? They invaded our soil, oppose us, attack us, and commit murders, looting, and plunder. The U.S. should first present a proof of any share in our country [which could justify their presence in Afghanistan]…
"They are a cruel aggressor. Jihad against them is compulsory. For 10 years they scattered dirt. The whole world saw what they did or are doing. Whether they will give us a high status in the future, will make us Sardar Sahib [lord], or will make Karzai Sardar Sahib – we are against the American presence and do not accept any condition – as none of their conditions are acceptable.
"The United States should accept our three conditions: i) Withdraw its crooks [i.e. soldiers], ii) Publicly admit defeat [in Afghanistan], iii) Compensate Afghans for the loss of their lives and property.
"Only those Afghans who got Afghanistan rid of Russia and the U.S. can discuss political relations with them. Decisions taken by the U.S. or Russian servants [in Afghanistan] are unlawful and un-Islamic as these people are not practical Afghans, but rather their servants. I say: Why [do] they think that Afghanistan would again slip into internal fighting? [i.e. civil war if the U.S. leaves] There exists a rival group in every country that opposes the government of the time…"
"Every Country... [the U.S.] Entered has been Polluted; We cannot Expect Good from Them; We cannot Tolerate Any Aggression on Afghanistan"
"There was a government and security in this country [during the Taliban regime until 2001]. Narcotics were banned, and the rights of Muslims were being protected from cruel people. However, there was a minor difference [between various Afghan groups in this country] which also exists in the United States, Iran, and China.
"So, what kind of reforms do they want to introduce that they could not during the past 10 years? They say there is unrest in the country and they want to restore peace. Did they restore peace or stop narcotics? No. Rather, they burned innocent Muslims from head to toe…"
"What did they do in Japan 60 years ago? What did they do in Germany? What did they do in Vietnam and Iraq? They have started fighting the whole world, especially the Muslim world – bent upon creating unrest as if they are the policeman of the entire world, protector of the world, and can maintain peace in the world.
"Every country they [i.e. the U.S.] entered has been polluted. We cannot expect good from them and cannot be satisfied with them. We cannot tolerate any aggression on Afghanistan. Afghanistan is a nation whose [son] Mehmood of Ghaznavi conquered India and an Islamic government was installed [there]...."
"The U.S. Used Atom Bombs, Hydrogen Bombs, and Other Forces; But It was the Sacred Afghan Jihad That Rid the World of the Soviet Curse"
"The world got rid of the Soviet cruelties due to the bravery of Afghans. [As a result of the Soviet defeat in Afghanistan] Nations unified; Germanys unified and the map of the entire world changed. The United States thought 30 or 40 years ago that Russia would come to Asia, the Middle East, or the [South Asian] sub-continent. Who defeated the United States's rival?
"The U.S. used atom bombs, hydrogen bombs, and other forces. But it was the sacred Afghan jihad that rid the world of the Soviet curse. Before them, the British, who were ruling the world, invaded Afghanistan thrice but it was the sacred jihad by Afghans that defeated the British…
"Now, it is also believed that the U.S. decision [to have troops in Afghanistan after 2014] will culminate in the Americans' headache and would prove to be a source of America's destruction and fall. If the Muslim governments [i.e. the Islamic Ummah] showed a little courage and cooperated with the sacred jihad in Afghanistan, this cancer will be eliminated from the globe. It is unacceptable even if 100 such more decisions are made. We will use our power against them to our capacity…
"We complain and urge the allies of this wrestler and other governments of the world not to support the U.S.'s despotism, as they did during the sacred jihad against Russia. The mujahideen are empty handed, do not have weapons, are small in number, and do not have resources to use a large number of people; while on the other hand, the United States is not alone and has the support of [an] entire world of infidels.
"If the Muslims of the world showed courage and supported the sacred jihad, as I said in the past, we hope that this pharaoh [i.e. evil hegemon in the popular understanding in South Asia] will pack up from the world..."
