Several Shiite mourners in Kabul have voiced strong criticism over the Taliban’s restrictions on Muharram rituals, particularly the Ashura ceremonies. According to them, the Taliban have not allowed the free and open observance of these religious rites. As in the previous year, Muharram is being marked only in a limited capacity and in select major mosques under the group’s surveillance. The Shiite community believes the Taliban are unwilling to allow these ceremonies but have been compelled to permit limited observance to preserve the regime’s image.
Several mourners told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that since the Taliban’s return to power, they have not been able to commemorate Muharram as they did in the past. They expressed strong disapproval of the religious pressure imposed by the Taliban. Despite the Shiite community’s attempts to engage positively with the group, they say the Taliban have failed to honor their commitments or respond to their requests.
Furthermore, several Shiite citizens of Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul, criticized the lack of a public holiday on the day of Ashura, describing it as a violation of their religious freedoms and rights. They argue that the Taliban’s actions have deepened feelings of discrimination within the Shiite community.
Speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, some mourners reiterated that they have been unable to conduct Muharram ceremonies as they once did. They condemned the religious suppression they faced under Taliban rule and emphasized that the group had disregarded the promises and expectations set by the Shiite community, despite their efforts to cooperate.
Sayed Ali, a resident of Kabul’s District 6, said he is disheartened by the inability to freely hold Muharram rituals. He added that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban have not only hindered proper observance of this important religious occasion but also fostered a greater sense of discrimination among Shiites.
“Our religious flags pose no threat to the Taliban,” he said. “Allowing open-air ceremonies and the display of religious flags is not a threat to them—it could even serve as an opportunity. I want the Taliban to respect religious diversity and allow us to commemorate Muharram without restrictions.”
Sayed Mohammad, a resident of District 5 in Kabul, stated that the atmosphere surrounding Muharram ceremonies has changed in recent years, with the fervor and wide participation of the past now absent. He called on the Taliban to lift the restrictions placed on Shiite religious events.
“In the past two years, we’ve all witnessed the imposed limitations,” he explained. “Setting up procession tents and raising flags have been prohibited, the number of religious gathering sites has been reduced, and ceremonies are allowed only in large mosques and religious centers—and only on specific days and times. Previously, the 10th of Muharram was a public holiday, but now even that sign of respect for Shiites has been taken away.”
Sitara, a resident of Kabul’s District 16, said the Taliban are not in favor of holding Muharram rituals but feel compelled to provide limited security for Shiites to portray their regime as strong. “Restrictions remain in place,” she said. “People can no longer freely install flags on their rooftops or in the streets.”
Najma Hussaini, a resident of District 13 of Kabul, said that for her, observing Muharram symbolizes justice and resistance. She noted that compared to previous years, she is making greater efforts to attend mourning gatherings and religious recitations.
Sahel, a resident of District 4 in Kabul, stressed that Muharram is a significant and historical event for all Muslims and should be commemorated without restrictions. She further emphasized that the Taliban’s pre-determined regulations on how the ceremonies are conducted amount to the erosion of religious independence. “As a Shiite, I had hoped to participate with the same passion and freedom as before, but unfortunately, we were denied that opportunity.”
It is worth noting that last year, the Taliban also permitted Muharram ceremonies for Afghanistan’s Shiites only under tight restrictions. Based on an “agreement” signed in coordination with Shiite religious scholars, ceremonies were allowed only under certain conditions. The key restrictions included limiting the locations where ceremonies could take place and submitting those lists to the Taliban, confining ceremonies to enclosed spaces and major mosques, banning mourners from speaking to the media and prohibiting the installation of religious flags and recitation of elegies in public spaces. These restrictions have continued into this year’s Muharram as well.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
برگزاری عاشورا زیر سایه طالبان؛ شکایت شیعیان از محدودیت در آزادی مذهبی
