Taliban's Al-Emarah Voice of Jihad website has launched a new online question-and-answer forum, where visitors can submit questions to be answered by their main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Some mainstream news wires have already reported the new tactic of Taliban propaganda, but only the Middle East Media Research Institute had a detailed translation of all the questions and answers on forum for their subscribers.

In today's column, I will quote excerpts of the questions and answers on the forum to give ordinary Afghan and foreign readers of this page a picture of how they propagate using all platforms and channels. More recently, they are focusing on ordinary Afghans through media statements and tactics such as the online-forum, while continuing terror killing civilians at the same time. This column is not an analysis or commentary, but excerpts from the forum.

Question: It is said that if anyone working with a construction company, or any other non-government organization, is held by the Taliban, he is killed quickly, and a death without proof and investigation. What do you say on this?
Answer: All the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate have been ordered that if they doubt on anyone working with or for enemy should be handed over to our courts comprised of religious scholars who make a thorough investigation and punish accordingly. The punishment to every crime is not death.

Question: Some armed-men in the areas of Taliban control on Kabul-Kandahar and Kandahar-Herat highways loot and kidnap people, what do you say on this?
Answer: There is no theft and kidnappings in any part of the country controlled by Mujahideen. However, in some areas where militias have been raised against Mujahideen, they loot people. And Police is involved in such lootings of travelers on Kandahar-Herat highway.

Question: Do the Islamic Emirate has any group to deal with improvement among Mujahideen and those who do something against the Sharia or make trouble for ordinary people.
Answer: Yes, under the order of Islamic Emirate's leadership, Mujahideen are observed on daily basis. For this purpose a Committee of Dawat and Irshad has been formed that implement Islamic ethics among Mujahideen, and look for those [Mujahideen] who have bad behavior with ordinary people. If there is any complaint, the Committee conducts an investigation and if proved, those responsible are punished according to Sharia. The Committee is in contact with provincial Governors and district chiefs [Taliban] to control their Mujahideen and ensure good leadership.

Question: My question is that you talk of Jihad and then take millions of dollars from Americans for opening office and forget Jihad.
Answer: Our brother is asking emotionally. We have not taken dollar from anyone. Our Jihad is not for dollar. The purpose of opening office in Qatar was to facilitate release of our prisoners and talk to the enemy face to face. Opening the office should not be interpreted as deal-making and talks.

Question: Will you make peace with former Mujahideen [those who fought against Soviet Union]?
Answer: Anyone who does not oppose Islamic system is our brother. But if someone opposes, we will fight them.

Question: My first question is why did you choose Qatar, a country with American military base, for office? And what was the need to go for peace talks with crusaders at a time when they say they will ensure your security to go to Qatar, while you claim victory in Afghanistan?
Answer: Our opening office is a matter between Taliban and Qatar. Of course Qatar must have told the US about it, who said they will not oppose, which shows our victory against an arrogant enemy. We had talks with Qatar about opening the office and it's a matter between us and Doha. The opening of office was for contact with international community. It shows defeat of the enemy and our victory.
About the choice of Qatar for opening office, I should say that we had good relations with Qatar, and previous experience had proved our trust on them. Qatar had also allowed the leadership of Palestine's Hamas to open office there, and similarly religious scholars of Egypt who were exiled by the previous regime were also allowed to live in Qatar.

Question: If there is Taliban government again, will girls be allowed to go to schools?
Answer: I should make it clear that the Islamic Emirate has never opposed education of girls. During our rule, due to financial problems, we could not arrange education facilities in an Islamic environment for girls. However, we still tried to use mosques as schools for girls in big cities.
About future: we think education is important for all including girls, but under Islamic rules and the conditions allowed in Sharia. We will provide an Islamic environment to educate girls so that they have a prosperous life.
Question: How can we contribute articles on your website, or cooperate regularly?
Answer: Our Cultural Commission needs contributors. We need writers and articles in Pashto, Farsi, Arabic, Urdu and English, and other cooperation. Send your writings to our email address. Specially, we are looking helpers and contributors in Dari language. We accept articles about Islamic principles, national unity and freedom of the country. "