Local sources have told media that the Taliban detained at least nine people in Kabul last night for raising Muharram flags in mosques and Hussainiyas.
According to these sources, Taliban forces entered several Shiite mosques and Hussainiyas in different areas of Kabul, removed Muharram flags, and arrested a number of mourners. The sources also claim that the detainees are being held in a building of the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice.
The incident comes at a time when, according to the sources, the Taliban had previously informed several Shiite clerics in a meeting that Muharram ceremonies would be permitted under specific conditions.
The sources added that, following these arrests, the coordinating committee for Muharram ceremonies in Kabul met with Tajmir Jawad, the Deputy Head of Taliban Intelligence, to raise their objections. According to them, he emphasized that Shiites may hold Muharram ceremonies in accordance with prior agreements and called for a list of the detainees to be submitted to facilitate their release.
Meanwhile, a source in Mazar-i-Sharif also reported the arrest of at least three people over Muharram mourning activities.
So far, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice and other authorities have not issued an official response on the matter. Meanwhile, the Shiite Ulema Council of Afghanistan has called for the security of Muharram ceremonies and the provision of a calm and unrestricted environment for the observance of Ashura across the country.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
