Speaking to KabulNow, residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, expressed their fears and concerns about the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. They cited poverty and a rise in security incidents as reasons for their reluctance to celebrate the holiday.
The residents have called on the Taliban to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property during the holiday. They expressed concerns over the increase in incidents such as explosions, murders, kidnappings, and armed robberies.
“We will be celebrating Eid with an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety,” said Najibullah, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif. “It is imperative that the Taliban ensures the security of the people during the Eid days, especially in crowded places such as mosques to prevent any potential incidents.”
Mohammad Yasin, another resident, expressed fear for the safety of Shia mosques, citing past events as evidence of the danger. The residents criticized the bad security situation and mentioned recent explosions, including one that killed the governor of the Taliban for Balkh province.
In response, the Taliban security officials in Balkh assured that they have taken special measures to ensure the safety of the Eid days. Mohammad Asif Waziri, the spokesperson of the Taliban security command in Balkh, said that the police would work in coordination with other security agencies to guarantee the safety of the holiday.
“We understand the concerns of the people,” Waziri said. “We have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Eid celebrations. We will not allow anyone to disrupt the peace and security of the people.”
It remains to be seen whether the Taliban will be able to live up to its promises and ensure the safety of Eid celebrations. However, the residents of Mazar-i-Sharif are clearly worried about their safety and the future of their country.
