Taliban authorities have imposed restrictions during Muharram procession that begins today across the country, saying observers should refrain from organizing gatherings in public and should hold ceremonies in particular mosques and places of worship.
“Taliban have curbed mourning parades and asked us to cut down black flags and banners throughout the city,” a member of the Council of Shia Scholars in Ghazni province told KabulNow, adding the restrictions mean religious ceremonies will be limited to inside mosques and shrines.
The ruling authorities in Ghazni have also barred Shia mourners from moving in large gatherings during the night.
The Council’s member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, opposed the move, calling on the Taliban authorities to lift the restrictions.
Earlier, the Council of Shia Scholars of Afghanistan released a declaration calling on the Taliban to take concrete measures to ensure protection and security for mourning ceremonies during the month of Muharram.
The declaration also stressed that mosques and religious centers should avoid prolonging the mourning ceremonies until late at night and lower the volume on loudspeakers that could cause disturbance.
The first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram is observed by Shia communities who commemorate the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, prophet Muhammad’s grandson, and his followers in the 6th century.
Shia communities in Afghanistan openly observed Muharram before the Taliban returned to power almost three years ago.
The Taliban’s recent curtailment of religious freedoms of the Shia communities is not new.
Last year, the group prohibited Shia mourners from holding widespread public sermons in major urban centers, including Kabul, Ghazni, Herat, and Mazar-e-Sharif. The community refreshment stalls by the roadsides and touring in convoys were barred and people were not allowed to hear recitation of elegies in public transportation.
Taliban forces opened fire on Ashura mourning ceremonies in Ghazni last year, resulting in the death of four mourners with nearly 33 others injured.
The authorities did not allow Shia mourners to parade through the streets and gather at the shrine of Ali, a vast complex of Blue mosque in the center of Mazar-i-Sharif city, where traditionally huge Shia worshippers throng to mourn the Ashura.
In Herat province, Taliban forces resorted to violence in some parts of the city while removing religious flags and banners. When mourners showed resistance and protested, gun-wielding Taliban fighters violently dispersed them by firing in the air.
Under Taliban rule, the Muharram procession has often been barred or severely restricted, citing security concerns.
However, some residents said the Taliban’s restrictions during Muharram stretched to remote regions too where there were no serious security risks.
