A powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has caused widespread destruction and claimed the lives of more than 1,400 individuals. The Taliban government has responded by framing the disaster as a ‘divine punishment.’ The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs has directed mosque imams to include prayers for those affected by the earthquake and for forgiveness during Friday prayers. In addition to religious directives, the Taliban has appealed for community solidarity, urging people to provide assistance to the earthquake victims. Scientific understanding views earthquakes as natural events caused by tectonic plate movements.
