Today, the Afghan Taliban released a statement praising as “justice” the attack by two jihadists on the office of Charlie Hebdo in Paris that killed 12 people including the magazine’s editor, and condemning the magazine’s new edition which again depicted the Prophet Mohammed.

The statement, which is reproduced in full below, was published at Voice of Jihad, the group’s official website. Here is the relevant statement [emphasis mine]:

An attack was carried out last week, bringing the perpetrators of the obscene act to justice however blasphemous notions against the great Prophet of Islam – peace and blessing be upon him – were again published from the same address today, once again opening the door to provoking the sensitivities of nearly one and a half billion Muslims.

The Taliban’s praise of the Paris attack, which was claimed by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, should come as no surprise. But it is interesting given that in the past the Taliban have attempted to brand their jihad to regain power in Afghanistan as a legitimate struggle against “occupation,” and the Taliban have claimed to seek “cordial relations” with the international community. For instance, the Taliban said the following in 2013 when the group established its “political office” in Dubai:

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to have cordial relations on basis of mutual respect with all the countries of the world including its neighbors and desires security for its nation as well as security and justice on international level.

And the Taliban claimed the political office was partially established “[t]o talk and improve relations with the international community through mutual understanding.”

The reality is that the Taliban have made such statements merely to placate the international community. But the Taliban’s true colors show when the group praised the Charlie Hebdo attacks, or lauded Osama bin Laden as a “great Mujahid” who was responsible for “rearing, training, enlightening and equipping Mujahideen,” or nearly every day when it uses suicide bombers, often against its own people.

Statement of Islamic Emirate concerning the blasphemous action against the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) in France A few years ago several immoral individuals in France published cartoons of the beloved Prophet of Islam – peace and blessings be upon him – and termed it as freedom of speech, aggravating the sensitivities of the Muslims worldwide while also lifting the veil from the western heretical culture. An attack was carried out last week, bringing the perpetrators of the obscene act to justice however blasphemous notions against the great Prophet of Islam – peace and blessing be upon him – were again published from the same address today, once again opening the door to provoking the sensitivities of nearly one and a half billion Muslims. We strongly condemn this repugnant and inhumane action and consider its perpetrators, those who allowed it and its supporters the enemies of humanity. Profanity against religions and religious sanctities is an unforgivable crime which is loathed and hated by the entire humanity. We sincerity believe that such immoral actions can never harm the great honorable character of the Prophet of Islam – peace and blessings be upon him – and his status as the savior of mankind rather it only exposes the true faces of the enemies of humanity. We call on the world especially heads of all concerned states to prevent such abhorrent actions from further harming world peace, the beliefs and sacrosanctity of over a billion people is desecrated and the world is pushed further into the fire of hatred and war. The entire Islamic and non-Islamic world, as human beings, have a responsibility to condemn and prevent every action which transgresses against religions and its sanctities, offends people and pushes nations into taking retaliatory actions. In regards to the leaders, elite and common folk of the Islamic world we must say that such events are very extreme tests for our faith and beliefs. If the Muslims keep silent in face of such incidents due to some impediments or take a neutral stance between Kufr (disbelief) and Islam or side with Kufr instead of Islam and search for excuses for this disgusting action of the Kuffar (unbelievers) then they should fear for their Emaan (faith). The prophet of Allah (SWT) – peace and blessings be upon him – is not only the leader of the Muslims rather he is a guide for the whole humanity, a founder of human edification, a partition line between ignorance and enlightenment and a architect of ethical, intellectual and civil progress. The smallest of blasphemy against him is not only treachery against his noble essence rather it is looking down upon humanity and civilizations therefore all who believe in humanity must renounce and stand against such repugnant lowlife deeds.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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