US Report Highlights Ongoing Religious Persecution in Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule
In its annual “International Religious Freedom” report, the U.S. State Department has painted a grim picture of the situation for religious minorities in Afghanistan over the past year.
According to Khaama Press, the report states that under Taliban control, religious minorities have faced violent attacks, widespread discrimination, and a lack of protection for places of worship.
The article mentions that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that millions worldwide still lack true religious freedom.
The report details numerous troubling incidents, including massacres, torture, and forced displacement of the Shia Hazara ethnic group by the Taliban, whose lands and homes have been seized and damaged.
It also refers to the dwindling Sikh and Hindu populations in Afghanistan who have expressed grave concerns for their safety, fearing torture if they attempt to raise complaints. The report states that over 900 Sikh and Hindu citizens have left the country, leaving only six behind to protect their places of worship.
Additionally, the information point out that the Taliban have banned the teaching of Shia jurisprudence in schools and prevented the celebration of the religious holiday of Eid al-Ghadir in several provinces.
The US report also highlights the Taliban’s development of an extremist school curriculum that includes military training.
Overall, the State Department’s findings paint a troubling picture of the systematic persecution of religious minorities in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule.
