KUNDUZ CITY (SW): The Taliban in Kunduz have directed owners of private religious schools to close down, an officials said on Saturday.
Faizullah Aimaq, deputy director for education in the province, informed Salam Watandar that the Taliban see these private religious centers as a hurdle in their drive for attracting young recruits to their ranks. He added up to 350 private religious schools have closed down in the province due to the threats by the Taliban. He noted that only the Darul Hifaz where young children learn the holy Quran by heart remains open in the province.
Abdul Hameed Hamidi, the provincial police chief, has confirmed these reports. He told Salam Watandar the Taliban sustained heavy losses in recent clashes that prompted them to seek new recruitments from these religious schools. He added efforts are underway to reopen the religious schools in the areas under the control of the government.
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahed, a spokesman for the Taliban, has rejected these reports. He told Salam Watandar that no such directives have been issued.
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