In Sep. 2021, the Taliban's religious leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, issued a statement declaring that "the authorities of the Islamic Emirate" will "work hard towards upholding Islamic rules and Sharia law in the country," and they "will take serious and effective steps towards protecting human rights, the rights of minorities as well as the rights of the underprivileged groups within the framework of the demands of the sacred religion of Islam." Scientific, nationwide surveys conducted from 2005 through 2014 found that 82% to 92% of the people of Afghanistan preferred the nation's elected government over the Taliban that previously ruled the nation.