Since the beginning of Muharram, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on its observers across Afghanistan, preventing them from commemorating it as they did before the Taliban’s return to power.
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.
Before the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Shia community openly observed Muharram without any restrictions. However, since then, the community has faced widespread limitations on their observance.
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.
Earlier, local sources in Kabul and western Herat provinces reported that Taliban security agents have forcibly removed dozens of flags and banners across the provinces. Shia mourners were also warned of potential beatings and imprisonment for violating the Taliban’s imposed restrictions.
According to sources, Taliban agents in Herat province arrested at least two Shia mourners three days ago for violating the restrictions.
Similarly, last year during Muharram, the authorities prohibited Shias from organizing large gatherings and holding public sermons across several provinces, including Kabul, Herat, Ghazni, and Mazar-e-Sharif.
Moreover, Taliban security agents engaged in violence in many provinces of the country last year. In one instance, they fired upon Ashura mourning ceremonies in Ghazni province, leading to the deaths of at least four people and injuries to over 30 others.
Despite the Taliban’s claim that they impose Muharram restrictions for security reasons, our sources confirm that the regime has enforced these measures even in remote villages where there is no apparent security threat.
The Taliban, who claimed previously that Shias were free to practice their beliefs, have now imposed numerous restrictions on their religious practices, which critics believe constitutes a crackdown on religious freedom.
In its annual report released earlier in May, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted that under Taliban rule, the Shia community continues to endure harassment, violence, and stringent restrictions on their religious practices.
The report emphasized that the Taliban imposes a strict interpretation of Sharia Law, violating the religious freedom of those with different interpretations of Islam and minority groups.
USCIRF further detailed the Taliban’s interference with religious observances. For example, they declared April 21, 2023, as Eid al-Fitr and pressured Shia Muslims to break their fast at checkpoints and in vehicles.
The report also highlighted restrictions on Shia mourning rituals during Muharram and the prevention of public celebrations of Eid al-Adha as additional examples of these limitations.
USCIRF urged the U.S. government to classify Afghanistan under Taliban rule as a “country of particular concern” because of its systematic and persistent violations, emphasizing the need to prioritize religious freedom in all discussions with the Taliban.