Kandhar: In the small town of Kandhar, Nanded courage takes an unusual form. Muhammad Talib, a young man known as the “Snake Friend,” has earned respect for his rare mission—saving both snakes and people from harm. While most run from the sight of a snake, Talib runs toward it.
Trained in snake handling, Talib learned how to catch venomous snakes safely without injuring them. He relocates the reptiles to the forest instead of killing them. Despite dealing with dangerous species, he has never been bitten. His belief is simple: every creature has a right to live.
People in Kandhar admire his bravery and call him whenever a snake appears in homes, offices, or schools. Instead of fear, his name brings comfort. Smiling, Talib says that his work reflects the true spirit of Islam, which teaches kindness and protection for all living beings.
“I see this as an act of goodwill,” he explains. “When I save snakes from humans and humans from snakes, I am doing khair, the good that Islam calls for.”
For the people of Kandhar, Muhammad Talib is more than a snake catcher. He is a reminder that courage is not about destroying what we fear, but about understanding it.
