Taliban Enforce Strict Restrictions on Muharram Observances Across Afghanistan

Taliban Enforce Strict Restrictions on Muharram Observances Across Afghanistan
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The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on Muharram rituals this year, including bans on photography and limits on public ceremonies in several provinces such as Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Bamiyan, and Ghazni, Amu TV reported. These measures affected Ashura day, observed on Sunday, and other mourning events during the sacred Islamic month.

Residents described the restrictions as significantly stricter than in previous years. Some communities were prohibited from raising traditional black flags or organizing public processions. A Herat resident, speaking anonymously, said, “We have marked Muharram for many years, but this year we weren’t allowed to hold the ceremonies as we wanted.” Another urged the Taliban to respect Shiite religious practices and allow free worship.

On Ashura, mobile and internet services were disrupted across much of Kabul, though the Taliban have not explained the outages or the imposed limitations. While Taliban officials have denied restricting Muharram observances in the past, residents and rights groups report otherwise.

The United Nations special rapporteur on Afghanistan’s human rights has expressed concern over ongoing Taliban-imposed limitations on religious freedoms, which have become an annual occurrence since the group’s return to power in 2021.