Abdulla Aripov, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, leading an economic delegation, arrived in Kabul and met with senior officials of the Afghan government. During the meeting, around 35 memorandum of understandings were signed between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the areas of economy, transport, energy and trade, valued at approximately $2.5 billion.

The Afghan government warmly welcomed the Uzbek delegation, despite Uzbekistan’s active role in suppressing Muslims, Dawah carriers, and Mujahideen in Central Asia who strive for the establishment of Islam. Furthermore, Uzbekistan is a country that previously provided its airbase to the United States and NATO, helping them occupy Afghanistan — a key regional player that demonstrated supportive role during the 20-year occupation. That’s why, Uzbekistan holds similar importance for the United States in the region as ‘Israel’ does.

Uzbekistan, a land that was once conquered by the Islamic army and embraced the rule of the Caliphate, where great scholars like Bukhari, Tirmidhi, and Abu Mansur Maturidi (may Allah have mercy on them) lived in an Islamic and faithful climate, is unfortunately currently under the rule of oppressive rulers who suppress the people of this land for the crime of practicing Islam. The warm reception of the Uzbek delegation by the Afghan government indicates its support for these oppressive rulers, while the primary duty of the current Afghan government is to defend the oppressed Ummah who are being crushed under the feet of these cruel rulers on a daily basis. Muslims and Jihadist groups in Central Asia welcomed the rise of the Mujahideen to power in Afghanistan and hoped for the elimination of borders and the liberation of their lands. However, the close engagement of the current regime with the oppressive dictators of Central Asia has turned these hopes into despair, creating the perception that the current regime, through its political and economic interactions, stands on the wrong side of history, alongside the oppressive dictators, rather than with the Muslims of Central Asia.

Indeed, Uzbekistan is not a powerful state capable of establishing independent political relations or pursuing large economic projects; while, it is a satellite state that secures the colonial objectives of the United States and Russia in Afghanistan. Behind these promises and Uzbekistan’s economic projects lie political and intelligence objectives. Although Afghan rulers view regional economic projects as a “win-win” situation, anyone looking at these projects from the perspective of Islamic politics sees it as a “win-lose” situation, where Afghanistan would find itself in the losing position in the long run.

Building a large economy is not contrary to Islamic principles, but if Islam is not the foundation of the economy and the ‘economy’ is seen as the only priority, this will lead the government to turn into a capitalist system. These policies show that our rulers consider Islamic solutions unrealistic and have set them aside, opting instead for pragmatic and realist policies. If the current rulers do not have a clear understanding of the Islamic political, economic, and social system, they should consult Hizb ut Tahrir or other Islamic groups that possess this insight and understanding. Otherwise, they should not try to mislead the people by putting them in confusion; because welcoming oppressive rulers causes the Muslims of Afghanistan to get confused in distinguishing between the right and wrong, unable to differentiate between the oppressor and the just.

The rulers must realize that only with the establishment of the Second Rightly-Guided Caliphate will Islam be implemented and upheld, and the Islamic Ummah will be distinguished from other nations. The Khalifah (Caliph) is the one who would establish a powerful civilization based on Islam; and instead of engaging with oppressors, he would rush to the help of the oppressed.

Indeed, those who seek help only from Allah (swt) keep patience (observe Sabr) in implementing Islam and adhere to piety in their politics, they are the ones who will be granted the Caliphate and global power by Allah (swt) and will become the inheritors of the earth.

[قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ اسْتَعِينُوا بِاللّهِ وَاصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ الأَرْضَ لِلّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ]

“Moses reassured his people, “Seek Allah’s help and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah ˹alone˺. He grants it to whoever He chooses of His servants. The ultimate outcome belongs ˹only˺ to the righteous.”” [TMQ Al-Araf: 128]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Afghanistan