OCTOBER 24, 2024 — During the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a symbolic banknote representing a proposed common currency, featuring the flags of BRICS nations alongside several other countries, including Afghanistan. However, Afghan media such as Khaama Press and the Afghan Voice Agency noted that the flag depicted was that of the former republic, not the current Taliban government, though the name of Afghanistan was listed as the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” the official designation of the Taliban-led government.
In addition to the BRICS members—Russia, Brazil, China, India, and South Africa—the banknote also included the flags of Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Venezuela, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.
The inclusion of Afghanistan’s republican flag, along with the Taliban’s exclusion from the summit, sparked some discussions among Afghan observers.
BRICS member countries also issued a joint statement during the summit, expressing deep concern over Afghanistan’s security situation and the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls. The statement called for the Taliban to lift bans on female education and respect human rights.
The current flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, used by the Taliban, is a plain white flag with the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) in black at its center, symbolizing “purity of faith and government.”
Image: Khaama Press
