The Taliban have detained 18 staff members of an NGO, including a foreigner, on charges of "promoting Christianity in Afghanistan".
Workers of the International Assessment Mission were all detained "as they were preaching Christianity”, two sources within the Ghor provincial governor's office told The National.
Abdul Wahid Hamas, a spokesman for the governor, told local Tolo News that those detained for "propagating and promoting Christianity” included "seven women, one of whom is a US national".
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's central spokesman, told The National that they were still "collecting information regarding these detentions" without further explanation.
Afghanistan's hardline Taliban rulers follow a strict interpretation of Sharia laws.
The IAM said on its website that two Afghan nationals and one international team member working at its office in Ghor province were detained on Sunday, September 3 and that additionally, "15 Afghan national staff members were taken from the same office on Wednesday, September 13”.
The organisation says it had no information on the nature of allegations against its staff.
“Should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented,” it added.
The IAM has been working in Afghanistan since 1966, in health care, education and community development.
“Over the last decade alone, IAM has profoundly impacted the lives of over 4.2 million people in Afghanistan through its dedicated efforts," it says on its website.
“During this period, IAM has spent over US$40 million on initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, and community development.”
Locals who spoke on condition of anonymity said there appeared to be no evidence of these charges and that they "welcome any organisation which helps Afghans in this difficult time"
The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021 and have arrested dozens of activists, journalists and rights defenders.
Women have been banned from working in offices as well as going to schools and universities.
Despite facing criticism from the international community and various rights organisations for breaches of human and women's rights, the Taliban have consistently justified their actions by invoking their interpretation of Sharia.
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Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
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Five personal finance podcasts from The National
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How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
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Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
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Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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German intelligence warnings
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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
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Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
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Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
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Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
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