Taliban Publishes New Law Regulating Religious Preachers

The Taliban have published a new regulatory framework for religious preachers in their official gazette, mandating that clerics adhere to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and instruct the public on the "virtue of jihad." The decree, titled the Preachers Law, was ratified by the movement’s supreme leader and outlines a comprehensive set of guidelines for religious instruction across the country.

The legislation comprises seventeen articles organized into an introduction, three chapters, and two distinct sections. Under the new rules, all authorized preachers must operate under the direct supervision of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The ministry is tasked with monitoring religious activities and ensuring compliance with the newly established standards.

Officials have characterized the regulation as a necessary step to standardize religious and social affairs, aligning clerical instruction with state directives. The publication marks another phase in the administration’s ongoing effort to formalize its decrees through official state channels, a process that has been steadily expanding since the group returned to power in two thousand twenty-one.

The law explicitly requires religious figures to incorporate teachings on the "virtue of jihad" into their public sermons and educational programs. By centralizing oversight and establishing clear doctrinal requirements, the administration aims to consolidate its authority over religious discourse and ensure uniform messaging across mosques and religious institutions.