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American Morning

Taleban Proposes Forcing Hindus to Wear Identity Labels

Aired May 22, 2001 - 10:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The rulers of Afghanistan, the Taleban, have announced plans to force Hindus to wear identity labels on their clothing. The hard-line regime controls nearly all of Afghanistan, where Hindus are a small minority among the nation's Muslims. The law would make it mandatory for Hindu women to wear veils, just like Muslim women.

With more on this edict, we go to journalist Kamal Hyder. He is in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Kamal, I understand you tried to meet with the Taleban officials. What happened? Did you confirm this proposed edict?

KAMAL HYDER, JOURNALIST: Yes. The Taleban spokesman in Kandahar, Abdul Annan Himat, and the Foreign Ministry in Kandahar did admit that the edict was issued by the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) people in Kabul, but that it was still up to the supreme leader of the Taleban, Mullah Mohammed Omar, to approve this -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kamal, how have the Hindus reacted to this?

HYDER: The Hindus that we met today basically told us that they have had no problems so far living in Kandahar. And most of the women are observing the will anyways in order to blend in. These people have been here for hundreds of years. And most of them were not having -- facing any difficulties, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Could the Taleban -- what does the Taleban expect to gain from this?

HYDER: Well, it is premature to say what the Taleban expect because it must be understood that, unless and until this is approved by the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammed Omar, it will not become a law -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Kamal, there's been -- here in the United States, there has been sort of this frightening comparison that has been made between this proposed edict about having the Hindus wear this label on their clothing to when Jews had to wear the Star of David during the Holocaust.

HYDER: Yes, I think that perception may be there. But the thing is that, in Afghanistan, the religious police does go about in the city and make sure that people adhere to the rules and the regulations set forward by their religious beliefs.

The government is citing the example that it is for the protection of the Hindu minorities there, so that they are not bothered by the religious police that this is being done -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Why target the Hindus? What about all the Christians that are living there?

HYDER: Christians, there are possibly -- you know, the only Christians here would be the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) involved in aid agencies. And we have Sikh minorities. But the Sikh are distinguishable anyways because of their peculiar turbans and the way they look. So, for them, it is not necessary. They can -- they stand out from the rest of the Muslim population -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kamal, the Taleban is saying that this is for religious reasons. But I thought religion is all about accepting everybody and not having to cast anybody out for any specific reason.

HYDER: Absolutely. But like I said earlier, unless and until the edict is approved by the supreme leader, it will not become a law. And it has not come up for his approval. So it remains to be seen which way Mullah Mohammed Omar will decide on this edict -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And we will be following it. Kamal Hyder from Kandahar, Afghanistan, thank you very much.

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