On the ninth day of Muharram, the Taliban imposed a ban on the observance of Tasu’a by Shias in Afghanistan, according to sources.
Sources informed Amu that the Taliban restricted celebrations on Sunday night, prohibiting people from gathering in the streets to commemorate the ritual.
Shia scholars have expressed that these restrictions are an affront to their religious practices. Traditionally, Tasu’a is marked by Shia Muslims worldwide with activities such as distributing charity, fasting, chest-beating, and self-flagellation. However, this year, the observance of Muharram, particularly Tasu’a, has faced more severe restrictions in Afghanistan compared to previous years.
In Kabul, sources reported to Amu that the Taliban has banned media from filming Muharram ceremonies. Further measures have been imposed on mosques and community centers, limiting ceremonies to certain locations.
“Unfortunately, this year the Taliban has imposed more restrictions on Muharram for Shias compared to the past two years,” said Mahnaz, a resident of the Chendawol area in Kabul.
Mohammad Hossien Jafari Qundoozi, a Shia religious scholar, criticized the Taliban’s actions, including the lowering of the Ashura flag, as disrespectful. He urged the Taliban to allow mourners to observe their rituals peacefully.
“But in areas where followers of the Ahl -e Bait live, do not cause disruption for the people in their own streets and neighborhoods; let the mourners, whose hearts are filled with sorrow, mourn in a safe and calm environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, the office of Jafar Mahdawi, a former member of parliament and a Shia community leader, warned of significant security threats against Muharram mourners. “Avoid any gatherings in areas with less security and follow the joint guidelines established between the Taliban and Shia representatives,” Mahdawi’s office advised in a statement.
Criticism against the Taliban’s restrictions comes amid reports of the group lowering Ashura flags in provinces such as Herat and Kabul. In response, dozens of Herat residents took to the streets in protest against the Taliban’s impositions on Muharram observances.
