[Today's Prayer] Taliban Demands U.S. Transfer Control of Afghan Embassy in Washington

The Taliban, the Islamic militant group effectively ruling Afghanistan, has reportedly officially demanded the U.S. transfer control of the Afghan embassy in Washington D.C. as part of its efforts to gain international recognition.

(Omitted)

Mujahid added that the Taliban delegation also urged the U.S. to reopen its embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, during the negotiations.

The U.S. has yet to respond to the Taliban's demands.

However, the Taliban government emphasized that it has ended the war with the U.S. and is ready to establish positive relations.

The U.S. delegation's visit to Kabul is the first since the Taliban regained power after the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021.

During these negotiations, the Taliban released a U.S. citizen they had detained as a gesture of goodwill to gain international recognition as a government.

India Today reports that the Taliban still detains many U.S. citizens, which could complicate future negotiations.

The international community is reluctant to recognize the Taliban as a government, citing its oppression of women's rights, including educational restrictions, under the guise of Islamic law.

The Taliban claims control over 40 Afghan embassies worldwide. Some countries, including China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have accepted diplomats appointed by the Taliban.

Despite concerns about human rights abuses by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the U.S. reportedly cooperates with the Taliban on intelligence sharing to counter the Islamic extremist terrorist group ISIS.

Source: Yonhap News https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0015296220?sid=104

Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19)

We see the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan and now negotiating with the U.S., demanding international recognition.

Lord, though the Taliban seeks to rule in Afghanistan under the banner of Islam, You alone are the sovereign of all Judea, Samaria, and all nations to the ends of the earth.

May the Taliban’s oppression of women and Christians under the guise of Islam, and all of Afghanistan, turn to You, the only King.

Protect and preserve both the bodies and faith of the Afghan saints oppressed by the Taliban, and may they rise as a church on the rock, steadfast in their faith to the end.

May Afghanistan and the Taliban acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of all the earth and the King of all nations, and rise as a nation and army solely for You.