Kabul’s Shia Community Says Taliban Policies Have Eroded Trust in Government

Kabul’s Shia Community Says Taliban Policies Have Eroded Trust in Government
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Shia residents of Kabul say unemployment, poverty, religious restrictions and the closure of community institutions have weakened their trust in Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and limited their ability to seek redress.

Several Shia residents have criticised what they describe as growing restrictions on their community, saying fear of arrest or mistreatment discourages people from openly expressing their concerns.

Sulaiman Ahmadi, a resident of Kabul’s Karte Sakhi neighbourhood, said Shia citizens face difficulties when approaching government institutions to resolve legal and commercial disputes. He alleged that some decisions were biased against members of the community and that opportunities to challenge them were limited.

Residents also pointed to the closure of several institutions that previously handled Shia community affairs, including the Supreme Shia Council and offices affiliated with Shia figures in western Kabul. They said the closures had reduced the channels available for raising grievances and addressing community needs.

The residents called for greater protection of their religious and legal rights, respect for Ja’fari jurisprudence, and permission for Shia institutions to resume their activities.

Taliban authorities maintain that government institutions are accessible to all citizens. However, Shia residents say economic hardship, religious and social restrictions, and the loss of community organisations have contributed to a growing sense of marginalisation.