Taliban Crackdown on Shia Religious and Cultural Institutions in Afghanistan Raises Alarm

Taliban Crackdown on Shia Religious and Cultural Institutions in Afghanistan Raises Alarm
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Shia religious schools and cultural figures in Afghanistan are facing escalating pressure under the Taliban, raising concerns about the erosion of religious and cultural freedoms.

According to Shia Waves Agency citing Ittilaat Roz, in Daikundi province, Shia religious schools have reportedly come under unprecedented scrutiny. The source also notes that Taliban “promotion of virtue” units conduct weekly raids on students, confiscate religious books, and tear images of Shia mara’ji (religious authorities). These measures are forcing schools to register officially under Taliban oversight, threatening their independence and traditional educational practices.

Meanwhile, in Balkh province, prominent Shia poet and cultural activist Seyyed Eskandar Hosseini Bamdad was detained by Taliban intelligence forces approximately one week ago. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that his current location and the formal charges, if any, remain unknown. Bamdad, who manages several cultural centers including the Ferdowsi Library, has been a leading figure in promoting Persian-Dari literature and cultural activities. His arrest has sparked widespread concern within Afghanistan’s cultural and literary communities.

Human rights advocates warn that these developments reflect a broader pattern of targeted suppression of Shia religious and cultural life, undermining both educational autonomy and freedom of expression. Analysts note that without international attention and internal advocacy, Afghanistan’s Shia communities could face increasing restrictions on religious education and cultural preservation under Taliban rule.