Afghan Shia Demands Remain Unaddressed Four Years into Taliban Rule

Afghan Shia Demands Remain Unaddressed Four Years into Taliban Rule
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Four years after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the Shia community says its key demands remain ignored, including the official recognition of Ja’fari jurisprudence and the inclusion of Shia beliefs in school and university curricula, Shia Waves Persian reported.

The Shia Ulema Council and the Shia High Commission submitted a formal letter to the Taliban government in the early months of its rule, outlining these demands. However, no concrete steps have been taken to address them. Despite the establishment of a permanent cabinet, no ministry has been allocated to Shia representatives, and the Taliban have yet to deliver on initial promises regarding religious and cultural rights.

The last joint meeting of Shia representative bodies was held in late 2024, but no tangible progress has followed. Activists stress that Shia cooperation with the Taliban could benefit national stability, but insist that such engagement should not remain one-sided.

Meanwhile, restrictions on media and public expression in Afghanistan have limited the ability of Shia groups to voice their concerns. Efforts by Shia media outlets to obtain updated positions from community leaders have also yielded little response.

As a result, four years into Taliban governance, the Shia community’s demands remain sidelined, and the future of their religious and cultural rights continues to hang in uncertainty.