A local source in Afghanistan’s western Herat province reports that Taliban fighters have killed a man who protested the regime’s extensive restrictions on Muharram mourning ceremonies.
The source identified the victim as Habib, a 30-year-old resident of Jibril, a Shia-populated area in Herat province, and a father of two children.
According to the source, the incident occurred on Thursday, July 11, when Habib was riding his motorcycle in the city with a Muharram mourning flag displayed. Taliban fighters stopped him, and after a verbal dispute over the flag, they shot and killed him.
The source said that since the start of the Muharram, Habib had been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s extensive restrictions, insisting that the regime should lift these limitations and refrain from removing or tearing up mourners’ flags.
Another source informed KabulNow that the victim was a member of the security forces during the previous government and had been struggling with mental health issues after the government’s collapse.
The Taliban have not officially commented on the matter. However, according to sources, the Taliban claims he committed suicide.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed annually by the Shia community with special ceremonies to commemorate the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. They commemorate the first ten days of Muharram with large gatherings and religious ceremonies.
In the last two years, the Taliban has imposed strict restrictions on its observance throughout Afghanistan, preventing people from commemorating it as they did before the Taliban’s return to power.
The Taliban authorities have ordered Shia communities to refrain from organizing public gatherings and erecting decorative flags and symbols in public spaces. The group has also limited the number of locations where processions can be held and banned refreshment stands and the distribution of drinks during Muharram.
The Taliban’s extensive restrictions on Muharram ceremonies have triggered widespread reactions and protests, particularly in Herat province, where dozens of residents have taken to the streets over the past two days to express their anger.
Our sources report that tensions between Muharram observers and local Taliban authorities have intensified in the provinces in recent days, resulting in an increased military presence in the city.
