Afghanistan
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Afghan Cleric: Taliban's Policy Toward Shias Must Be Clarified
The head of the Tebyan Center for Cultural and Social Activities, in a meeting with officials of the ABNA News Agency, reviewing Afghanistan's developments, praised the Taliban government's five-year performance in some economic, developmental, and anti-drug areas, but at the same time warned about internal dissatisfaction, the treatment of certain Shia institutions, and ambiguity in the legal and political status of Shias.
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Economic Hardship and Recent Detentions Deepen Anxiety Among Shia Families in West Kabul
Residents of predominantly Shia neighbourhoods in western Kabul say that improved physical security under Taliban rule has not translated into a sense of safety or stability. Poverty, unemployment and recent actions against a major Shia seminary and community figures have left many families anxious about their future, according to local accounts.
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Thousands of Kabul Shias Protest Taliban Raid on Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary
Thousands of Shia residents of Kabul gathered in a nighttime protest to support the Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary following a raid by Taliban forces, but the gathering was forcibly dispersed by government security personnel.
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Taliban Forcibly Removes Students from Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary in Kabul
Taliban forces forcibly removed students and other people from the Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary in Kabul on Monday after a deadline set for evacuating the religious institution expired, according to information received from sources at the scene.
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Arrest of a Number of Shia, Hazara Leaders by Taliban
Local sources in Kabul have reported the arrest of several individuals in connection with the Public Relations Office of Hazara and Shia Leaders. These arrests took place one day after the siege of the Khatam al-Nabiyyin (p.b.u.h.) Seminary and amid escalating pressure on some Shia institutions and figures. The Taliban has so far provided no official explanation for the reasons behind these actions.
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Shia Gathering in Kabul Protesting Evacuation of Khatam al-Nabiyyin Seminary; Reports of Cleric Arrests
A number of Shias in Kabul gathered on Saturday evening, September 5, in protest against the Ministry of Justice's order to evacuate the Khatam al-Nabiyyin (p.b.u.h.) Seminary in the Darulaman area. Simultaneously, sources reported that the center has been surrounded by Taliban forces and a number of clerics have been arrested, though these claims have not yet been independently confirmed.
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From Wedding Ceremony to Mourning; Trace of Attacks on Wedding Ceremonies in America's Wars
From Afghanistan and Iraq to Yemen and now Iran, wedding ceremonies, which should symbolize joy and the beginning of a shared life, have in some cases become scenes of civilian death. Some of these attacks have been directly attributed to US forces, and others to the operations of military coalitions supported by Washington.
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Shia Seminary Students in Kabul Protest Continued Closure of Major Religious Centre
Students at the Khatam al-Nabieen Islamic Seminary in Kabul have protested the continued closure of key sections of the institution, saying they have been forced to attend classes outdoors for nearly two months and questioning why Shia Muslims are being denied access to their religious and educational facilities.
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From Afghanistan to Iran; Why Is America Unable to End Its Wars?
Five years after America's withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country's war against Iran has raised a question: why is it sometimes more difficult for America to end its wars than to start them?
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Are Shia Leaders in Afghanistan Seeking to Secure the Rights of Shias?
Shia leaders in Afghanistan have presented new demands to the Taliban government aimed at elevating the political and religious status of Shias within the country's current system. This move has both been welcomed by the public and drawn criticism toward Shia leaders.
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Taliban Does Not Change; Message of Group’s Speaker Remarks for Afghan Women, Shiites
The Taliban spokesperson said that the group is not willing to change its domestic policies to gain international legitimacy, and the world must accept the group's laws and religious interpretations; a position that, along with the restrictions of the past five years, indicates a lack of public will to reform policies protested by women, Shia, and other groups in Afghan society.
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Shia Scholars Criticize Taliban for Lack of Response to Demands; Taliban: Demands, Legacy of Republic
Hojat al-Islam Alemi Balkhi, in his speech, referring to the demands of the Shia community and the personal status of the Shia, stated that the Taliban government has so far not responded to the demands of the Shia community.
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Amnesty International Calls for Independent Investigation into Kabul School Explosion
Amnesty International described the Monday explosion at the Shams-e Hedayat school in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi area, which injured at least 42 students, as deeply concerning, and called on the Taliban to protect civilians and minorities.
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Afghanistan Shia Cleric: Government Stability Depends on Public Support
On the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power, Hujjatul Islam Nematullah Sadeghi, the preacher of Bamyan’s Grand Mosque, stressed the people’s role in government stability, saying that order and the sustainability of society are impossible without popular support.
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Afgan Shia Cleric: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Was Kind and Humble To People
The Shia Muslim community in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, held its weekly Friday prayers at the Jafariya Grand Mosque, with Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Taqadusi leading the congregation.
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UN: Restrictions on Afghan Women and Girls in Taliban Rule Should Not Be Normalize
The United Nations has warned the international community against accepting the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan as a new normal, stressing that continued inaction could have lasting consequences for future generations.
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Iran, Afghanistan Discuss Trade Barriers, Chabahar Transit and Joint Agricultural Investment
Iran and the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have discussed ways to remove trade barriers, expand the transit of Afghan goods through Iran’s Chabahar port and increase joint investment in agriculture.
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Arbaeen, University for Human, Civilizational Development: Afghan Cleric
The Friday Prayer Leader of Mazar-i-Sharif described Arbaeen not merely as a mourning ritual, but as one of the greatest universities for human and civilizational development in Islamic history, and emphasized that Hussain (a.s.) belongs to all free people of the world.
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Flash Floods Renew Safety Concerns for Shia Communities in West Kabul
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding in western Kabul have once again exposed the vulnerability of thousands of residents living in neighborhoods built along the foothills surrounding the Afghan capital, with many fearing that future storms could have even more devastating consequences.
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Afghan Shia Journalists Struggle to Find Work Under Taliban Rule
Shia journalists in Afghanistan say they are facing growing financial difficulties as many media outlets have shut down or reduced operations under the current government, leaving many experienced reporters without jobs.
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India Delivers Flood Relief Assistance to Afghanistan
India has provided flood relief assistance to Afghanistan to support communities affected by severe flooding in Nuristan province.
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Photos: Afghans Sign Petition for Reopening of Shia Institutions
According to ABNA International News Agency – Shia worshippers in various cities across Afghanistan signed a petition after Friday prayers (Friday, July 10) calling for the reopening of the Khatam al-Nabiyyin Seminary and Tamadon TV, which were closed by the Taliban authorities.
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Fatimiyoun Brigade Pay Tributes to Pure Body of Late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): A Delegation from Fatimiyoun Brigade from Afghanistan pay tributes to the pure body of the Late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Photos: Afghan Shias Mark 13th of Muharram
AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): A grand ceremony marking the 13th of Muharram was held at the holy shrine of Imamzadeh Yahya, in Sar-e-Pol city, Afghanistan attended by more than 5,500 mourners of Imam Hussein (A.S). The event featured religious speeches, elegies commemorating the tragedy of Karbala.
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Iran to Issue 2,500 Free Visas for Afghan Nationals to Attend Imam Khamenei’s Funeral Ceremony in Mashhad
Iranian authorities have announced the allocation of 2,500 free visas for Afghan nationals to facilitate their participation in Funeral of "martyred leader" Imam Khamenei.
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Taliban Prevent Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai from Attending Ashura Ceremony
Afghan media outlets, citing informed sources, report that the Taliban prevented former Afghan President Hamid Karzai from attending Ashura mourning ceremonies on Friday.
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Afghan Cultural Activist Criticises Shia Leaders Over Muharram Restrictions Under Taliban
Afghan cultural activist Seyed Hossein Hadi has criticised the conduct of some influential Shia figures, alleging that restrictions imposed on Muharram mourning ceremonies are partly the result of prior understandings reached with Taliban authorities.
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Photos: Mourning Ceremony of Seventh Night of Muharram in Samangan Province, Afghanistan
According to ABNA International News Agency – The Shia and devotees of the Ahlulbayt (AS) in Afghanistan gathered at the Takyeh Khaneh (Hussainiya) of "Taht-e Joy" in the Dar-e Suf-e Bala district of Samangan province to hold mourning ceremonies on the seventh night of Muharram.
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Taliban Again Imposes Restrictions on Muharram Mourning; Flags of Mourning Pulled Down in Several Afghan Cities
Numerous reports from the provinces of Kabul, Ghazni, Herat, and other regions of Afghanistan indicate that Taliban forces, with humiliating treatment, have collected and in some cases torn down flags and symbols of mourning for Imam Hussein (a.s.) from homes, shops, and streets.
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Afghan Shia Ulema Council Calls for Safe, Grand Muharram Ceremonies Across Country
The Afghan Shia Ulema Council issued a statement on the arrival of the month of Muharram, calling on the country’s security officials to provide the conditions for the grand and safe holding of the Muharram and Ashura mourning ceremonies.