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 followers, calling them “polytheists and infidels.” The Taliban also confiscate all religious books they consider contradictory to Hanafi jurisprudence from educational and university libraries, and this practice continues. Click here to read more (external link).