Taliban Shut Down Shiite Butchers in Ghazni, Citing Claims Meat Is “Not Halal”
Taliban Shut Down Shiite Butchers in Ghazni, Citing Claims Meat Is “Not Halal”
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Local sources in Afghanistan’s Ghazni say the Taliban have barred Shiite butchers in the city center from slaughtering animals and have closed their shops, raising concerns about widening restrictions on followers of non-Hanafi Islamic schools.
According to the sources, who requested anonymity, Taliban officials informed shop owners that meat slaughtered by Shiite butchers is “not halal,” and therefore they are prohibited from conducting slaughtering activities or selling meat within the city. The decision was reportedly enforced immediately, with several shops shut down and their owners prevented from resuming work.
The move follows earlier reports of similar actions in Bamiyan, where Shiite butchers were also prevented from slaughtering animals and their businesses closed. Observers say the repeated measures suggest a broader pattern of restrictions in provinces with significant Shiite populations.
The Taliban, who adhere to the Hanafi school as their official doctrine, have imposed limits on religious activities of other Islamic schools since returning to power. These measures have rolled back spaces and practices that were permitted during the previous republican era.
While Taliban authorities have previously stated their commitment to safeguarding the religious rights of Shiites, local and human rights reports point to widespread restrictive practices. Analysts warn that such policies risk deepening sectarian divisions and raise questions about religious pluralism in Afghanistan, particularly in the absence of independent oversight or avenues to challenge these decisions.
