Deoband, Uttar Pradesh: A frenzy of thousands of men descended on the Darul Uloom Deoband Saturday, leading to the cancellation of a public address by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan, in anticipation of larger crowds. Muttaqi paid a historic visit to the Islamic seminary, located three hours from New Delhi, which welcomed him with open arms.

Muttaqi, dressed with a black turban highlighted by streaks of silver, stood out in a sea of white, as local men and students hounded the Taliban leader’s vehicle for a glance at him. The influx of men led to the organisers and the administration cancelling a planned address by him at the library of the seminary.

However, Muttaqi addressed a congregation at the library building of the Darul Uloom, before heading to the

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