Afghan Biographies

Rauf, Mullah Abdul


Name Rauf, Mullah Abdul
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth 1944
Function/Grade Herati Mosque Kabul
History and Biodata

3. Biodata:
Mullah Rauf is a highly respected Imam in Kabul. He is a Sunni and due to his free and frank statements about the ruling elite, he was 9 times imprisoned under Najibullah, and 3 times unter Karzai government. They wanted to stop him critizising the Government. People love him, because he is telling the truth. He has never left Afghanistan for a longer time. He is the only Mullah in Kabul who is openminded and has a constructive critical view of politics and everyday life. On Friday his mosque is jampacked full with people from all levels of society. Rauf doesn't like the Americans. During Najibullahs reign he was the Imam of the Wazir Akhbar Khan Mosque until Mujaheddin Government in Afghanistan. The Herati Mosque stands in one of the Afghan capital's most modern neighborhoods. Its imam, Abdul Rauf, was one of the few local clerics to criticize the rigid Islamic views and harsh punishments of the Taliban movement when it ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Rauf said: “Music is not banned in Islam but to get enjoyment from music is banned. Singing about women and guns is certainly not allowed.”

Last Modified 2011-05-03
Established 2009-10-29