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Canada's Women and Gender Equality Minister Draws Flak for Calling Taliban Militants 'Brothers'

© AFP 2023 / NOORULLAH SHIRZADAAfghan Taliban militants and villagers attend a gathering as they celebrate the peace deal and their victory in the Afghan conflict on US in Afghanistan, in Alingar district of Laghman Province on March 2, 2020
Afghan Taliban militants and villagers attend a gathering as they celebrate the peace deal and their victory in the Afghan conflict on US in Afghanistan, in Alingar district of Laghman Province on March 2, 2020 - Sputnik International, 1920, 26.08.2021
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The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan earlier this month, overthrowing its government led by President Ashraf Ghani, prompting many Afghans who collaborated with western nations to try to escape.
Maryam Monsef, Canada's minister for women and gender equality, has referred to the Taliban as "our brothers" during a TV interview while updating people about the country's evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. 
"I want to take this opportunity to speak to our brothers, the Taliban. We call on you to ensure the safety and secure passage of any individual in Afghanistan out of their country," Monsef said as she urged the militant organisation to stop killing people and damaging infrastructure.
Baffled by her remark about the Taliban, the TV show host asked the minister to clarify her statement. Monsef said the "brothers" reference to the radical Islamist group was "cultural."
"The Taliban are a terrorist group, yet they claim to be Muslims. They are terrorists taking over my beloved ancestral land. In terms of the terminology, if you go to masjids (Muslims' place of worship) across the country, Muslims are referred to one another as brothers and sisters," the Canadian minister stated. 
Netizens have reacted strongly to Monsef's comments, with some demanding her resignation.

Demonstrators shout Peace in Afghanistan and hold up signs as they gather in front of the White House in Washington, U.S., August 15, 2021 on the day Taliban insurgents entered Afghanistan's capital Kabul - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.08.2021
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Online Footage Shows 'Hundreds' of Afghans Fleeing to Airport as Taliban Enter Presidential Palace
Canada has announced its plan to accept 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan under a special immigration plan that may break the 31 August deadline for evacuating US and NATO citizens – as well as Afghans who worked for the allies – from the country. 
The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan was followed by the Taliban seizing power from the government; after months of bloodshed and violence, the terror organisation managed to take control of Kabul on 15 August – with Afghanistan's ex-President Ghani fleeing the country soon after. 
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