Mansur Al Hallaj's mystical odyssey, spanning from Baghdad to Mecca, Egypt to India, resonates with Sufis and scholars for over a millennium. Kashmir, a spiritually vibrant but historically remote region, holds a significant place in his storied travels, despite tenuous connections. Scant evidence of his physical presence in Kashmir positions his influence more as a myth than historical fact. Anecdotes of his visit, often metaphorical, emerged in Persian Sufi literature centuries later, contributing to the modern claim of his Kashmir journey. Kashmir's ancient religious history, diverse culture, and intellectual atmosphere likely drew Hallaj during his spiritual quest. Although historical records are limited, later Sufi orders in Kashmir bear traces of Hallaj's influence, and legends persisted, inspiring thinkers like Muhammad Iqbal. While the veracity of specific events remains uncertain, Hallaj's mystical journey left an enduring mark on Kashmir's spiritual l
Optimism and shallow analyses, which do not account for how the Taliban are dissimilar to previous rulers, create significant and irreversible harm to the people of Afghanistan, the region, and the world.