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The Taliban allowed [[al-Qaeda]] (a militant [[Sunni]] Islamist organization) use of Afghan territory to plot, train, and conduct terrorist activities across sovereign international borders.  

The Taliban allowed [[al-Qaeda]] (a militant [[Sunni]] Islamist organization) use of Afghan territory to plot, train, and conduct terrorist activities across sovereign international borders.  

The Taliban fighters were educated in "madrassahs" (religious schools) in Pakistan, and many of them have Pakistani nationality. Education in a "madrassah" requires unquestioning subservience to the will of Allah and the immediate readiness to engage in a religious war ("Jihad") if required by an appropriate religious authority.

The Taliban fighters were educated in "madrassahs" (religious schools) in Pakistan, and many of them have Pakistani nationality. Education in a "madrassah" requires unquestioning subservience to the will of Allah and the immediate readiness to engage in a religious war ("Jihad") if required by an appropriate religious authority.  

The Taliban had close links to separatist terrorists in Chechnya, and this resulted in two bloody wars since 1994, as the [[Russian]] government fought to suppress the terrorists. Chechen terrorists also fought for the Taliban against U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Chechens also had links to [[Al Qaeda]].<ref>http://muslimvillage.net/story.php?id=370</ref>

The Taliban had close links to separatist terrorists in Chechnya, and this resulted in two bloody wars since 1994, as the [[Russian]] government fought to suppress the terrorists. Chechen terrorists also fought for the Taliban against U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Chechens also had links to [[Al Qaeda]].<ref>http://muslimvillage.net/story.php?id=370</ref>  

The Taliban retain control of substantial tracts of Afghanistan to this day, and continue to co-ordinate attacks against the Afghan government and supporting coalition forces. Many of the Taliban leaders and foot-solders are now believed to be based in [[Pakistan]] where they can launch attacks into Afghanistan or train for attacks elsewhere<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/terror-commande.html</ref>.  

The Taliban retain control of substantial tracts of Afghanistan to this day, and continue to co-ordinate attacks against the Afghan government and supporting coalition forces. Many of the Taliban leaders and foot-solders are now believed to be based in [[Pakistan]] where they can launch attacks into Afghanistan or train for attacks elsewhere<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/terror-commande.html</ref>.

Taliban rule was characterized by a fanatical intolerance for other religions, and women could not be educated or attend most hospitals. They required all men to grow beards and banned television along with all forms of imagery, music and sports, resulting in Afganistan being suspended from the 2000 Olympics.  

Taliban rule was characterized by a fanatical intolerance for other religions, and women could not be educated or attend most hospitals. They required all men to grow beards and banned television along with all forms of imagery, music and sports, resulting in Afganistan being suspended from the 2000 Olympics.  

See: [[Women under the Taliban]]

See: [[Women under the Taliban]]

The Taliban were extremely sexist. Women were not allowed to go outside or use public transportation with out a male relative, had to wear a [[burqa]] when they did go out, were not allowed to wear makeup or nail polish, and were not allowed to go to school. They were also not allowed to go to most hospitals when needed.

The Taliban were extremely sexist. Women were not allowed to go outside or use public transportation with out a male relative, had to wear a [[burqa]] when they did go out, were not allowed to wear makeup or nail polish, and were not allowed to go to school. They were also not allowed to go to most hospitals when needed.

==References==

==References==