Kunar and eastern Nuristan are conservative, rural societies and have been largely influenced throughout history by more extreme interpretations of Islam (Wahhabi and Salafi). Olivier Roy writes in his seminal study of the Afghan mujahideen, Islam and Resistance in Afghanistan, the ulama [Islamic scholars] of the Mashriqi (the three provinces to the east of Kabul [Nangarhar, Laghman, and KunarNuristan did not exist as a separate province]) had a well-established tradition of fundamentalism and anti-imperialism...The fundamentalism of the Mashriqi ulama had always been more radical and anti-traditionalist than in other regions.
Another insurgent group active in Kunar is the so-called Salafi Taliban, which emerged in the spring of 2008.94 It presumably has a Salafi orientation, as opposed to Mullah Omars Taliban, which has its roots in the Deobandi movement. Salafism is a conservative Islamic reform movement similar to Wahhabism that looks to emulate the first generation of early Muslims (salaf means ancestors or pious forefathers in Arabic). Salafi Islam is extremely prevalent in Kunar, where Saudi and other Arab missionaries and fighters have spread the religion over the years, more so than in other areas of South and Central Asia. The Salafi Taliban have carried out attacks in the interior of Kunar in Chawki, Pech, Watapur, and Asadabad districts. The Salafi Taliban claim to be a part of Mullah Omars Taliban, but this is unlikely given that they maintain an independent media operation to publicize their own attacks and distinguish themselves as Salafi. It is more likely that the Salafi Taliban are a group of local Kunar insurgents who coordinate with the Taliban and other militant groups from time to time.
http://www.understandingwar.org/files/Afghanistan_Report_1.pdf
Please read this document, it is very interesting.
Another insurgent group active in Kunar is the so-called Salafi Taliban, which emerged in the spring of 2008.94 It presumably has a Salafi orientation, as opposed to Mullah Omars Taliban, which has its roots in the Deobandi movement. Salafism is a conservative Islamic reform movement similar to Wahhabism that looks to emulate the first generation of early Muslims (salaf means ancestors or pious forefathers in Arabic). Salafi Islam is extremely prevalent in Kunar, where Saudi and other Arab missionaries and fighters have spread the religion over the years, more so than in other areas of South and Central Asia. The Salafi Taliban have carried out attacks in the interior of Kunar in Chawki, Pech, Watapur, and Asadabad districts. The Salafi Taliban claim to be a part of Mullah Omars Taliban, but this is unlikely given that they maintain an independent media operation to publicize their own attacks and distinguish themselves as Salafi. It is more likely that the Salafi Taliban are a group of local Kunar insurgents who coordinate with the Taliban and other militant groups from time to time.
http://www.understandingwar.org/files/Afghanistan_Report_1.pdf
Please read this document, it is very interesting.
