The representative of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, declared that the movement believes that the United States should not try to change Afghan cultural traditions.

On Friday’s broadcast of “Fox News”, Shaheen said that women in Afghanistan under the new government will not feel deprived of their rights. He added, “Women will not face any problems in education and work,” noting at the same time that women will have to wear the veil, describing calls by Western countries to abandon this as an attempt to “change the culture” of Afghanistan.

He continued, “You should not seek to change the culture. We’re not trying to change your (American) culture, so you shouldn’t try to change ours. The focus should be on joint work in a positive and constructive atmosphere, in line with the interests of both sides.”

And US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced, earlier on Friday, that Washington hopes that the new Afghan authorities will implement the commitments they made, especially with regard to “protecting the indigenous rights of Afghans, including women and minorities.”

(agencies)