Taliban

American  

[tal-uh-ban] / ˈtæl əˌbæn /

noun

1. a Muslim fundamentalist group in Afghanistan.

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Taliban British  

/ ˈtælɪbæn /

noun

1. (in Afghanistan) a fundamentalist Islamic army: in 1996 it defeated the ruling mujaheddin factions and seized control of the country; overthrown in 2001 by US-led forces, although reistance continues, esp in the south

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Etymology

Origin of Taliban

C20: from Arabic tāliban seekers

Example Sentences

Afghan Taliban officials have visited Bangladesh and met Islamist leaders who are seeking to increase their political influence ahead of elections due in February, Islamist officials in Dhaka said Monday.

From Barron's

Unlike other Central Asian leaders, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, who has been in power since 1992, has criticised the Taliban and urged them to respect the rights of ethnic Tajiks in Afghanistan.

From Barron's

"It sounds very strange or very bizarre today, but we were exporting to Kabul," where the Taliban now govern with their strict interpretation of Islam, Bhandara said.

From Barron's

“Abdulhaq did not cover his face while on mission, leaving him recognizable to Taliban informants, further endangering his life.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said that as a young teenager he was conscripted by his uncle into the Afghan national army, but was captured by the Taliban after they took control.

From BBC