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Shari'A In Afghanistan

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  • Thomas J. Barfield

Abstract

The Afghan population as a whole sees shari'a as a set of Islamic rules and practices that also reflects national traditions and mores. This perspective mixes orthodox Islamic laws with local customs and assumes that the two could never be in conflict. Rural Afghans in particular presume their customary practices must naturally be in accord with Islamic principles. Their belief that shari'a principles are the foundation of government and social life is so strong that few secular modernists have been willing to challenge it outright. Except for the early period of the socialist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (1978-92), Afghan reformists never sought the disestablishment of religion from the state, as was done in Turkey. Instead, the Afghan modernist strategy was to praise shari'a principles in theory while creating a system that allowed secular state laws to override it in practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas J. Barfield, 2012. "Shari'A In Afghanistan," The Review of Faith & International Affairs, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(4), pages 45-52, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rfiaxx:v:10:y:2012:i:4:p:45-52
    DOI: 10.1080/15570274.2012.739886
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