Afghanistan

Tensions Over Ashura Ceremonies in Kabul After Shia Representatives Summoned and Detained ————————————- Local sources in the Afghan capital, Kabul, have reported tensions surrounding Ashura commemorations after Taliban authorities summoned several Shia scholars and community representatives and detained them for…

Rights Groups Warn EU Against Afghan Deportations as Taliban Delegation Attends Brussels Talks ————————————– Amnesty International and UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett have warned the European Union against deporting Afghan nationals, saying Afghanistan remains unsafe under Taliban rule and that…

Afghanistan Media Support Organization Warns of New Security Threats Against Media and Journalists in Kabul ————————————- According to Hasht-e Subh Daily, the Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has expressed serious concern over the escalation of security threats against media outlets…

Taliban Requires Aid Workers at Islam Qala Border Center to Comply With Beard Rules —————————— Taliban authorities at the Islam Qala reception center in Herat have given humanitarian aid workers one month to bring their beards into compliance with the…

Afghan Calligrapher Handwrites Quran, Trains Women in Herat —————————————- Afghan calligrapher Nikita Durrani is continuing her project to handwrite the entire Holy Quran and translate it into Pashto, combining the preservation of Islamic artistic heritage with support for women’s participation…

Taliban Imposes New Restrictions on Muharram Mourning Ceremonies in Afghanistan ———————————— The Supreme Council for the Regulation of Religious Affairs in Afghanistan, established in coordination with the Taliban, has issued a set of new restrictions on holding mourning ceremonies during…

RSF Reports Mass Exodus of Afghan Journalists Since Fall of Kabul ———————————– Reporters Without Borders has reported a large-scale exodus of Afghan journalists since the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021, saying 677 Afghan media workers have been forced…

UN Urges Greater Support for Afghan Returnees as Displacement Pressures Mount ——————————————— UNHCR and other UN agencies are urging stronger international support for Afghan returnees and displaced communities as Afghanistan faces large-scale returns from Iran and Pakistan, deepening pressure on…

Afghanistan’s High Shia Commission Holds Consultative Meeting on Muharram Mourning Ceremonies ——————————— The High Shia Commission of Afghanistan held a consultative meeting attended by scholars, religious preachers and officials from cultural institutions to discuss preparations for Muharram mourning ceremonies. During…

Taliban’s New Smartphone Curbs Target Civil, Military Employees in Afghanistan ———————————— A nationwide ban on the smartphone use by civilian and military government employees has been approved in Afghanistan, with violators facing legal punishment and confiscation of their devices, Khaama…