[Theorsell]

while i understand the onus is on me to provide evidence for my claims, I must say I hope the general hostility of this forum is not indicative of this entire forum. I'd be interested in seeing a scholarly source citing some of the misrepresentation the West has given to Islam regarding its selling of opiates or closing the doors of academic education to women.

I think it may help for you to understand the enviroment in which you posed this question - it seems you are taken aback by some of the responses.

firstly, this particular forum is very pro taliban - the taliban originated in the dar ul uloom deoband school system, and many of the mebers here are also a part of that scholarly tradition. So if you come with anything negative regarding the taliban in particular, the Muslims here are going to feel personaly attacked.

second, the accusations you made are pretty heavy. i originally thought your question would be in regards to suicide bombings of civilians or something carried out by the Pakistani Taliban (which is a seperate and different group) - but instead you listed a crazy indictment of clear lies. for example the Opium trade you speak of under the taliban rule was almost eliminated - and once the taliban left power the opium bussiness boomed - this in itself is clear proof that the taliban are against the drug trade. The accusations of homsexuality and pedophilia are pretty extreme - so you cant just throw them out there without citing some sort of proof.

Islam is a religion that strongly emphasizes proofs over hearsay - so you cant throw around accusations with out a little proof and expect Muslims to happily go along with it. I can assure you, that of the things you libled against the Afghan taliban were true - they would have no support from the outside Muslim community