Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
  • د اسلامي امارت مشر د افغانستان  (Pashto)
  • رهبر امارت اسلامی افغانستان  (Dari)
Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
Emblem of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Hibatullah Akhundzada.jpg
Incumbent
Hibatullah Akhundzada
since 25 May 2016[note 1]
Style
TypeSupreme leader[2]
Status
  • Emir of the Taliban[3][4][5]
  • Head of state of Afghanistan[6] (1996–2001; 2021–present)
Member of
  • Supreme Council (1996–2001)
  • Leadership Council (2001–present)
SeatKandahar
AppointerLeadership Council[7]
Term lengthLife tenure
PrecursorPresident of Afghanistan
Inaugural holderMohammed Omar
Formation4 April 1996; 25 years ago (1996-04-04)[8]
FounderMohammed Omar
DeputyDeputy Leader
Salary؋228,750 monthly[9]
Politics of Afghanistan
Constitution
Government
Judiciary
Law enforcement
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
Flag of the Taliban.svg Afghanistan portal
  • Other countries
  • v
  • t

The leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan[10] (Pashto: د اسلامي امارت مشر د افغانستان,[11][romanization needed] Dari: رهبر امارت اسلامی افغانستان[12][romanization needed]) is the emir[note 2][3][4][5] of the Taliban and—since the 2021 fall of Kabul and previously from 1996 to 2001—the de facto ruler and head of state of Afghanistan.[2][6] A supreme leader, the emir has complete authority on all matters of Taliban and Afghan governance, though the consultative Leadership Council significantly influences his decision-making. He is a national religious leader in addition to a political and military one.[2]

History[]

The office was established by Mullah Mohammed Omar, who founded both the Taliban and the original Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the 1990s. In 1996, in Kandahar, followers of Omar bestowed upon him the title Amir al-Mu'minin (أمير المؤمنين), meaning "Commander of the Faithful", as Omar had donned a cloak taken from its shrine in the city, asserted to be that of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[8][17] Commander of the Faithful was not a governmental position but rather a religious and honorary title.

Following the September 11 attacks and the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Omar was deposed and the office of the leader was replaced by a presidency.[18] Nevertheless, all subsequent leaders of the Taliban have borne the title of Commander of the Faithful.[19]

Following its offensive in 2021, the Taliban recaptured Kabul after the United States withdrew its forces on 15 August of that year and became Afghanistan's new de facto government again.[20][21][22]

Selection[]

Under the draft constitution of the first Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan the head of state would be selected by an Islamic Council and hold the title "Leader of the Faithful".[23]

Powers and duties[]

Under Omar, the leader held absolute power, and the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia was entirely his decision.

It is unclear what exactly the current role of the Emir is, but under the 1998 draft constitution of the first Islamic Emirate, the Leader of the Faithful would appoint justices of the Supreme Court.[24]

Under the current government however, the Emir has final authority on political appointments, as well as political, religious, and military affairs. The Emir carries out much of his work through the Rabbari Shura, or the Leadership Council, which oversees the work of the Cabinet of Afghanistan, and appointment of individuals to key posts within the cabinet.[25]

However, in a report from Al Jazeera, the cabinet has no authority, with all decisions being made confidentiality by Akhundzada and the Rahbari Shura in Kandahar.[26]

List of leaders[]

Further information: List of heads of state of Afghanistan § Non-monarchs
No. Name
(Birth–Death) 		Additional position(s) held Term of office Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Amir al-Mu'minin
Mullah
Mohammed Omar
(1960–2013) 		Head of the Supreme Council of Afghanistan (1996–2001) 4 April 1996 (1996-04-04)
Head of state of Afghanistan
from 27 September 1996 (1996-09-27) 		23 April 2013 (2013-04-23)  #
Head of state of Afghanistan
until 13 November 2001 (2001-11-13) 		17 years, 19 days
Head of state of Afghanistan
for 5 years, 47 days 		[8][27][28]
– Amir al-Mu'minin
Mullah
Akhtar Mansour
(1968–2016) 		First Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (2010–2015) 23 April 2013 (2013-04-23) (acting)[note 3] 29 July 2015 (2015-07-29) 2 years, 97 days [29]
2 – 29 July 2015 (2015-07-29) 21 May 2016 (2016-05-21) X 297 days [30]
3 Amir al-Mu'minin Sheikh al-Hadith
Mullah
Mawlawi
Hibatullah Akhundzada 		– 25 May 2016 (2016-05-25)
Head of state of Afghanistan
since 15 August 2021 (2021-08-15) 		Incumbent 5 years, 300 days
Head of state of Afghanistan
for 218 days 		[5][32][6]

Timeline[]

Hibatullah AkhundzadaAkhtar MansourMohammed Omar

Deputy Leader[]

Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
Emblem of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Sirajuddin Haqqani (cropped).png
Haqqani
Abdul Ghani Baradar.jpg
Baradar
Incumbents
Status
  • Deputy emir of the Taliban
  • Deputy head of state of Afghanistan (1996–2001; 2021–present)
Member ofLeadership Council[33]
Reports toThe leader
AppointerThe leader
Term lengthAt the pleasure of the leader
PrecursorVice President of Afghanistan
Inaugural holderAbdul Ghani Baradar
Formation4 April 1996; 25 years ago (1996-04-04)
FounderMohammed Omar
SuccessionNo (post of Leader vacant until the Leadership Council elects a replacement)

All three leaders of the Taliban have had deputies, with the number of deputies fluctuating between one and three.[34] Akhundzada has three deputies: Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mohammad Yaqoob, and Abdul Ghani Baradar. Haqqani was first appointed as a deputy leader by Akhtar Mansour in 2015, and was retained by Akhundzada. Upon assuming office in 2016, Akhundzada appointed Yaqoob, a son of Mullah Omar, as a second deputy. Akhundzada appointed Baradar as a third deputy in 2019, with a special responsibility for political affairs.[35]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Head of state of Afghanistan since 15 August 2021
  2. ^ The full Arabic honorary title is Amir al-Mu'minin (lit. 'Commander of the Faithful').[13][14][15] In this context, amir is associated with religious and military command and does not imply monarchy.[16]
  3. ^ Mansour was never officially named Acting Leader, but executed the role by concealing Mullah Omar's death, claiming to be acting on his behalf, and issuing decrees bearing his name. After over two years, news of Omar's death became public on 29 July 2015. Mansour was formally appointed Leader the same day.[29][30][31]
  4. ^ a b Deputy heads of state of Afghanistan since 15 August 2021

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Acting Minister of Education Meets Esteemed Amir-ul-Momineen". Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – Voice of Jihad. Kandahar. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Ramachandran, Sudha (10 September 2021). "What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b Jones, Seth G. (December 2020). "Afghanistan's Future Emirate? The Taliban and the Struggle for Afghanistan". CTC Sentinel. Combating Terrorism Center. 13 (11). Retrieved 5 March 2022. The Taliban is led by Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhunzada, who was appointed emir after the United States killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, in a May 2016 drone strike.
  4. ^ a b Roggio, Bill (11 August 2021). "The Taliban now control two-thirds of Afghanistan. How did it happen so quickly?". PBS. Retrieved 6 March 2022. ...the only acceptable outcome of this war would be the reestablishment of the Islamic Emirate with Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, its emir, as the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
  5. ^ a b c "Afghan Taliban announce successor to Mullah Mansour". BBC News. 25 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Faulkner, Charlie (3 September 2021). "Spiritual leader is Afghanistan's head of state — with bomb suspect set to be PM". The Times. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  7. ^ Burke, Jason (17 August 2021). "The Taliban leaders in line to become de facto rulers of Afghanistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Weiner, Tim (7 September 2001). "Man in the News; Seizing the Prophet's Mantle: Muhammad Omar". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  9. ^ Hakimi, Amina (5 December 2021). "Senior Officials' Salaries Reduced: MoF". TOLOnews. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  10. ^
  11. ^ Rahimi, Giti (31 October 2021). "Islamic Emirate's Leader Appears in Kandahar: Officials". TOLOnews (in Pashto). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  12. ^ Rahimi, Giti (31 October 2021). "Islamic Emirate's Leader Appears in Kandahar: Officials". TOLOnews (in Dari). Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  13. ^ Panda, Ankit (2 September 2015). "Here's What the Taliban Wants You to Know About Their New Leader". The Diplomat. Retrieved 6 March 2022. The Taliban have published a biography of their newly appointed Amir al-Muminin (Commander of the Faithful)
  14. ^ Siddique, Abubakar (7 September 2021). "Who Is Haibatullah Akhundzada, The Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Of Afghanistan?". Gandhara. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 6 March 2022. On September 7 Ahmadullah Wasiq, a Taliban spokesman, confirmed to the BBC that Akhundzada will be formally called 'commander of the faithful.'
  15. ^ "Reclusive Taliban supreme leader makes rare public appearance". The Guardian. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2022. Akhundzada, known as the leader of the faithful or Amir ul Momineen
  16. ^ Gibb, H. A. R. (1960). "Amīr al-Muʾminīn". In Gibb, H. A. R.; Kramers, J. H.; Lévi-Provençal, E.; Schacht, J.; Lewis, B. & Pellat, Ch. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition, Volume I: A–B. Leiden: E. J. Brill. p. 445. OCLC 495469456.
  17. ^ "Kandahar residents feel betrayed". www.sfgate.com. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  18. ^ "Karzai declared elected president". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  19. ^ "Statement by the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate regarding the martyrdom of Amir ul Mumineen Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour and the election of the new leader". jihadology.net. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  20. ^ Mistlin, Alex; Sullivan, Helen; Harding, Luke; Harding, Luke; Borger, Julian; Mason, Rowena (15 August 2021). "Afghanistan: Kabul to shift power to 'transitional administration' after Taliban enter city – live updates". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Afghanistan: Heavy fighting ongoing on the outskirts of Kabul as of early Aug. 15; a total blackout reported in the city". Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Taliban officials: there will be no transitional government in Afghanistan". Reuters. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Taliban Constitution Offers Glimpse Into Militant Group's Vision For Afghanistan". www.rferl.org. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  24. ^ "Beyond Republic or Emirate: Afghan Constitutional System at Crossroads". www.iconnectblog.com. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  25. ^ "What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  26. ^ Latifi, Ali M. "Taliban divisions deepen as hardliners seek spoils of war". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  27. ^ "Afghanistan: Who's who in the Taliban leadership". BBC News. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  28. ^ CNN Umair (29 July 2015). "Mullah Omar: Life chapter of Taliban's supreme leader comes to end". ireport.cnn.com. Faisalabad, Pakistan: CNN. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  29. ^ a b Goldstein, Joseph (4 October 2015). "Taliban's New Leader Strengthens His Hold With Intrigue and Battlefield Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Taliban sources - Afghan Taliban appoint Mansour as leader". Reuters. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Taliban resignation points to extent of internal divisions in leadership crisis". Agence France-Presse. Kabul. The Guardian. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  32. ^ Mellen, Ruby (3 September 2021). "The Taliban has decided on its government. Here's who could lead the organization". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  33. ^ Jones, Seth G. (December 2020). "Afghanistan's Future Emirate? The Taliban and the Struggle for Afghanistan". CTC Sentinel. Combating Terrorism Center. 13 (11). Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  34. ^ Ruttig, Thomas (March 2021). "Have the Taliban Changed?". CTC Sentinel. Combating Terrorism Center. 14 (3). Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  35. ^ Sayed, Abdul (8 September 2021). "Analysis: How Are the Taliban Organized?". Voice of America. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Retrieved from ""