Press Release

The End of the American and NATO Military Occupation

An Opportunity to Confront Soft Colonialism and Move Towards the Caliphate According to the Prophetic Method!

(Translated)

Four years ago, on August 31, 2021, the two-decade-long military occupation of Afghanistan by America and NATO forces ended with the withdrawal of the last American soldier at midnight. This was mainly due to America's shift in focus towards the Indo-Pacific region to slow down China's progress. The Islamic country, especially Afghanistan and its mujahid people, became a nuisance to America and a distraction from this new strategy. We blessed and continue to bless this historical achievement and this great day for all Muslims, especially the people of Afghanistan, the carriers of the Da'wah, and the Mujahideen.

These four years could have been a historic opportunity to implement Islam completely and begin a radical transformation in Afghanistan. Just as the Islamic State in Medina, during its first four years, laid the foundations of the Ummah, defined clear principles for domestic and foreign policy, and consolidated the presence of Islam on the world stage, the ruling regime in Afghanistan could also have seized these crucial moments to establish a clear and specific framework for its domestic and foreign policies, implementing Islam not only as a slogan but as a comprehensive system and way of life in the fields of governance, economy, education, judiciary, and foreign affairs.

Unfortunately, this great opportunity was not exploited as it should have been. Instead of implementing Islam completely, some of its provisions were applied selectively and gradually based on subjective preferences and within the frameworks inherited from the previous republican regime and the structure of the modern nation-state. As a result, clear and distinct features of the Islamic State were not defined; foreign policy was not based on Da'wah and Jihad; and the Ummah did not witness signs of a genuine Islamic transformation in Afghanistan. On the contrary, the focus shifted towards achieving internal stability within national borders, seeking recognition from the international system, and balancing global powers; an approach that, in the long run, weakens the legitimacy of the regime.

Despite the end of the military occupation, soft colonialism is still present, which is a more insidious form of hegemony, permeating politics, economics, and thought. It subjugates countries from within, without the noise of war or military invasion. This type of colonialism gives the illusion of independence, but it undermines the will of the Ummah and hinders the full implementation of Islam. Historical experiences indicate that countries are often defeated by soft power more than military force. Therefore, confronting this challenge requires vigilance, political awareness, expulsion of non-governmental organizations and foreign embassies, and full commitment to Islam.

In conclusion, we remind our Mujahideen brothers that the opportunity is not yet lost, but must be seized wisely, and that this historic victory should be transformed into a cornerstone and a bridge to establishing the Rightly Guided Caliphate according to the Prophetic method. A Caliphate that unites the Ummah, removes colonialism, and carries the message of Islam to the world. Otherwise, there is a real fear of losing the gains of this great day. And as happened in the past, Afghanistan may fall again into the abyss of colonialism and weakness, as Allah Almighty warned: ﴿AND IF YOU TURN AWAY, HE WILL REPLACE YOU WITH ANOTHER PEOPLE; THEN THEY WILL NOT BE LIKE YOU﴾.

The Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Wilayah Afghanistan