Afghanistan: Taliban Impose Strict Limits on Muharram Observances in Farah, Ghazni
The residents of Farah and Ghazni provinces in Afghanistan report empty streets and banned processions as Shia mourners face heightened restrictions under Taliban rule.
More details in the following report:
According to an article published by Amu TV yesterday, residents in Afghanistan’s Farah and Ghazni provinces are reporting a stark difference in Muharram commemorations this year, with the Taliban enforcing tight restrictions on religious ceremonies.
The heightened security measures, along with a noticeable absence of traditional Muharram flags and public processions, paint a picture of a significantly subdued commemoration compared to previous years.
Locals in Ghazni detailed the unprecedented nature of the restrictions, including a ban on loudspeakers for mourning rituals and confinement of ceremonies to mosques and religious centers. Similar reports emerged from Farah, where residents described limitations on gatherings and loudspeaker use.
The situation in Kabul appears equally tense, with reports of blocked access to the important Sakhi Shrine and restrictions on journalists covering events there. These actions have sparked condemnation from both religious figures and the National Resistance Council, who view them as oppressive and a violation of human rights.
Recently the Taliban officers killed a young Shia in Herat as a part of their crackdown on mourning rituals.
Afghanistan’s High Council of Resistance is condemning a Taliban crackdown on Ashura commemorations, calling it a violent attack on religious freedom.
The group accuses the Taliban of using security concerns as a pretext to “humiliate and insult” mourners, labeling their actions “terrorism” and a “crime against humanity.”
A statement from the council criticizes restrictions imposed by the Taliban, including limits on ceremony length, bans on Sunni participation, and forced agreements signed by Shia scholars. The council claims these restrictions lack any religious or humanitarian justification.
The High Council of Resistance urges the international community to reject any engagement with the Taliban and instead support the Afghan people’s right to practice their religion freely.
