8am: The Taliban have intensified restrictions against Shia Muslims by banning the import of Shia religious books and prayer texts into Afghanistan. Pilgrims returning from Karbala have voiced concerns over the Taliban’s harsh treatment and the prohibition on transferring these religious materials at border crossings. They report that during book collections, the Taliban insult Shia
8am: The massacre of Shia pilgrims at the border between the provinces of Ghor and Daykundi, for which ISIS has claimed responsibility, has once again highlighted the issue of Anti-Shiism among extremist Islamic groups. This event occurred in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, a group that has repeatedly demonstrated that it is no less anti-Shia than
8am: Several Shiite citizens in the country have condemned the use of derogatory terms against Shiites by Taliban officials and institutions. They urge the group to be more cautious in their use of language and terminology. They believe that Taliban officials and institutions should use terms that bridge the gap between sects and religions when
Afghanistan International: Several Shia figures at a meeting in Germany declared that the people of Afghanistan, especially Shias, are being deliberately deprived of their human and Islamic rights under Taliban rule. They described the Taliban government as illegitimate and a “government of oppression,” asserting that resistance against the group is “permissible and necessary.” Click here
Afghanistan International: Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the death of a young woman named Tahira, who was detained by the Taliban two weeks ago. Sources from Bamiyan province have confirmed her death but have not established the cause. Initial media reports suggested that Tahira committed “suicide” after being released from prison. The Taliban have previously
Khaama: Simultaneous with the observance of Ashura ceremonies, reports indicate that the Taliban have completely shut down all telecommunications networks in Kabul, the capital city. According to the reports, Taliban forces have also blocked all roads in western Kabul, claiming to ensure security. The telecommunications networks have been down in Kabul since Tuesday morning, according
Afghanistan International: Reliable sources from Herat have confirmed that Taliban members killed a young Shiite man in the Jebrael township of the province on Thursday. The young man, identified as “Habib”, was killed amid rising tensions between the Taliban and Afghan Shiites over Ashura observances. According to local sources, Habib had clashed with Taliban members
Khaama: Groups of Shia protesters in Herat marched through the city’s 12th, 9th, and 13th districts, waving Ashura flags and chanting “Labbaik Ya Hussain” as they expressed their religious devotion and voiced dissent against recent statements made by the Taliban. Caravans of Shia protesters in Herat marched through the city’s 12th, 9th, and 13th districts,
Afghanistan International: Sources from western Kabul reported that the Taliban has destroyed the statue of Abdul Ali Mazari, the former leader of Hezb-e-Wahdat Islami, at the Pul-e Sokhta intersection in Kabul. According to local residents, on Saturday night, the Taliban defaced the statue of Mazari with a drill and then covered it with plaster. Residents
Afghanistan International: The Shia Ulema Council of Afghanistan, in a statement, urged the Taliban to take necessary measures to ensure security during the month of Muharram and to prevent any disruption and insecurity. Last year, the Taliban asked Afghan Shias to refrain from erecting scaffolding and large religious flags in the city. The Taliban also