Residents in Kabul, Herat and Ghazni say Taliban authorities have imposed restrictions on Muharram commemorations and have interfered with the activities of mourners during the religious observance.
According to messages, videos and audio recordings sent to NIMRUZ TV, Taliban personnel in several areas allegedly removed mourning flags, tore black banners associated with Muharram ceremonies and collected religious symbols displayed by local communities.
Residents of Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul said officials from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice collected Muharram flags from shops, homes and mourning venues on Saturday. Witnesses claimed the actions were accompanied by pressure and humiliating treatment.
In Herat, residents of Haj Qurban Township in the Shidayee area reported that Taliban personnel instructed community members to remove Muharram mourning flags on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, a resident of Ghazni provided video footage claiming that Taliban patrols removed religious flags and tore black mourning banners during nighttime operations.
Those reporting the incidents say restrictions imposed in previous years have continued and argue that, despite official statements from Taliban authorities, Shiite communities still face significant limitations in organizing and conducting religious ceremonies.
The reports come as the Muharram period remains one of the most important religious observances for many Muslims, particularly within Shiite communities.
At the same time, the Shia Ulema Council of Afghanistan recently issued a statement calling on Taliban authorities to ensure the security of Muharram ceremonies across the country and provide conditions for peaceful and unrestricted commemorations.
Earlier, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, had also stressed the importance of taking necessary measures to ensure public security during Muharram observances.
The Taliban have not yet publicly responded to the allegations and reports provided by residents.
NIMRUZ TV has not been able to independently verify all claims contained in the messages, videos and testimonies received from local residents.
