Following criticism, the Taliban restore Uzbek language signage at Samangan University

Earlier, QALAMPIR.UZ reported that the Taliban’s interim government had removed Uzbek-language inscriptions from the facade of Samangan University, located in northern Afghanistan where ethnic Uzbeks make up a significant portion of the population. The move sparked justified public outrage. On January 11, Uzbek-language signage based on the Arabic script was restored to the university’s facade. Afghan Uzbeks reported this development to QALAMPIR.UZ.

According to confirmed information, on January 11 the Taliban installed a newly updated sign at the entrance of Samangan University featuring inscriptions in four languages, including Uzbek.

“After QALAMPIR.UZ raised this issue in Uzbekistan and following the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taliban were compelled to show respect for our language. On behalf of Southern Turkestan’s Uzbeks, I express gratitude to the editorial team and the ministry,” an Afghan Uzbek said in an interview with a QALAMPIR.UZ journalist.

It should be recalled that as of January 2 this year, inscriptions in Uzbek and Persian were removed from the facade of Samangan University, located in a region predominantly inhabited by Uzbeks. Following the incident, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that restrictions on the Uzbek language were a cause for concern for the ministry. On January 6, when officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly contacted Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taliban pledged not to impose restrictions on the Uzbek language.