Afghanistan

Sources: Taliban-appointed clerics left local mosques, spent Eid in Pakistan

Several clerics appointed by the Taliban to lead mosques in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Khost, Paktika and Paktia left their mosques and went to Pakistan to spend the Eid al-Adha there, sources familiar with the matter told Amu.

The sources said that these imams, who were officially installed by the Taliban, abandoned their mosques days before the Eid holiday began and crossed the border to mark the occasion in Pakistan with their families.

While some clerics are said to have returned to their mosques by the third or fourth day of Eid, others reportedly remain in Pakistan. During their absence, local residents in several areas took it upon themselves to lead Eid prayers, the sources said.

The imams, according to the accounts, have been provided housing near the mosques they oversee. Despite this, they chose to spend the holiday abroad — a move that has frustrated community members who say they are unable to file complaints because the clerics are appointed by Taliban authorities.

Local residents expressed concern over what they see as a lack of accountability, noting that similar absences occurred during previous Eid holidays as well. Taliban have not issued a public response to the reports.