Afghan Shia Figures Urge Taliban to Address Discrimination Concerns, Reopen Religious and Media Institutions
Afghan Shia Figures Urge Taliban to Address Discrimination Concerns, Reopen Religious and Media Institutions
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A group of Afghan Shia scholars, public figures and social representatives from the Hazara community have issued a statement expressing concern over what they described as discriminatory practices and measures affecting Shia communities and institutions, calling on Taliban leaders to take steps to address these issues and ensure equal rights for all citizens.
The signatories said they had supported efforts toward stability and dialogue in Afghanistan in recent years, but expressed concerns over what they described as repeated incidents and decisions that have negatively affected Hazara and Shia communities in several areas.
According to the statement, among the issues raised were the closure of some mosques and religious and cultural institutions, measures affecting residential areas in Kabul and Ghazni, the closure of the Tamadon television channel, and restrictions on some religious symbols and ceremonies.
The statement also addressed the case of Omid Sabz township, with the signatories objecting to its planned evacuation and calling for a legal and administrative review to protect residents’ rights and resolve disputes through official channels.
The figures said they had attempted to address these concerns through direct meetings and correspondence with Taliban officials rather than through public confrontation, but stated that these efforts had not produced the desired results.
They called on Taliban authorities to review decisions related to Omid Sabz and certain media, religious and cultural institutions, and to ensure equal treatment for citizens from all religious and social backgrounds.
No official response had been issued by Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharae or the movement’s spokespersons regarding the demands at the time of the statement’s publication.
