According to informed sources, the Taliban on Friday prevented former Afghan President Hamid Karzai from attending the Ashura mourning ceremony. The sources say that restrictions imposed on Mr. Karzai have significantly increased in recent days.
The sources add that the Taliban have introduced a series of new limitations on Karzai’s public activities and engagements. These measures are a continuation of restrictions that have existed over the past years, but their scope has now expanded further.
The sources say the tightening of these restrictions followed Karzai’s recent criticism of the mass detention of women and girls in Herat. Emphasizing the dignity and rights of Afghan women, he expressed concern over the treatment of protesters and stated that Afghanistan more than ever needs peace, solidarity, and unity.
Over the past five years, former President Karzai has faced various restrictions and pressures, although these have not prevented him from continuing to comment on educational issues. He continues to call for the reopening of schools and universities for girls.
In a message marking Ashura on Friday, 5 Saratan (Cancer month), the former Afghan president stated that the people of Afghanistan, like other Muslims, observe and honor this day. He added that Afghans regard love for the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt) as a source of unity and brotherhood and use the occasion to promote solidarity, reform, and awareness.
Karzai, who during his presidency and afterward regularly attended Ashura ceremonies in Kabul, expressed hope in his message that Afghan citizens would use the spirituality and blessings of Ashura to work toward progress, prosperity, unity, and the development of a country based on knowledge and education.
Following the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Karzai remained in Kabul. The Taliban initially restricted his foreign travel, though these limitations were later partially eased.
Informed sources say that preventing Karzai from attending the Ashura ceremony is part of the Taliban’s broader restrictive approach toward certain influential political figures in Kabul. However, Taliban officials have not yet issued any official comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the Ashura commemorations, telecommunications services in several Afghan cities also experienced widespread disruptions and outages. Residents of Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Bamiyan, and Ghazni told Afghanistan International that telecom services were cut off from the early hours of Friday morning.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
