How Afghans responded online to the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid’s mother
This study explores how Afghans responded on social media to the death of Mullah Omar’s mother, treating the event as a symbolic moment rather than a private loss. It situates these reactions within the broader context of Taliban rule since 2021 and the enduring symbolic role of Mullah Omar in shaping legitimacy and memory. By analyzing comments on major Afghan media platforms in Pashto and Dari, the study examines how people express moral judgment, responsibility, and emotion in a conflict-affected society. Rather than measuring public opinion, it focuses on patterns of discourse, including how religion, trauma, gender, and political memory intersect in shaping responses. The findings offer insight into how Afghans negotiate questions of blame, legitimacy, and morality under Taliban rule.