Recently, a video has been circulating on social media platforms that depicts an Ismaili man in Badakhshan Province converting his sect to Hanafi in the presence of local Taliban officials. The officials claim that he was previously a non-Muslim and now desires to become a Muslim. They coerce him into reciting the Shahadah, which is a declaration of faith in God and Muhammad as his messenger, and assert that the gate of Islam is open to all. Additionally, they proclaim “Takbir” as if the Ismaili sect’s followers were not Muslims and did not believe in the unity of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. However, it is important to note that followers of every sect consider themselves genuine Muslims, just as adherents of every religion view their own faith as authentic and superior to others. Without such beliefs, individuals would not adhere so strongly to their sects and religions. Nevertheless, our discussion here does not concern the authenticity of sects, as such debates are illogical and unlikely to yield a definitive conclusion. Instead, our focus is on understanding the motivations behind converting one’s sect.
The conversion of a resident from a remote district of Badakhshan can be understood by considering the atmosphere of that area. This incident took place in Ishkashim, one of the mountainous districts where the majority of residents are Ismaili Shiites. Ismaili Shiites are considered a minority sect in the country and have been marginalized in politics and business. Similar to other minority groups in Afghanistan, the Ismailis have some supporters who are involved in both business and politics. However, the ordinary people belonging to these minorities are the most impoverished and disadvantaged in Afghan society. It is important to acknowledge that individuals have the right to change their religious sect, and this should not be a topic of debate.
If individuals wish to freely convert their religious affiliation based on their beliefs, they are indeed allowed to do so. Such occurrences are common in democratic societies. However, under the rule of the Taliban, personal choices are no longer optional. This group even dictates the color of clothing women can wear and controls the number of children they can have, while also prohibiting the use of contraceptives. In the Taliban regime, the concept of free will is meaningless. Everyone is expected to be subservient and follow the orders of the Taliban Mullahs. This is the aspect that concerns people the most. If individuals are able to change their religion without any restrictions, there would be no need to worry about future sectarian persecution.
It is possible that the Taliban did not employ physical force or coercion, such as using clubs, whips, or guns, to convert the man’s sect. They may not have forcibly taken him from his home to the mosque for a conversion ceremony. However, it is evident that the Taliban exploit people’s poverty as a means of exerting pressure. This group disregards moral boundaries and takes advantage of the dire circumstances faced by individuals who lack basic sustenance. Due to their sectarian affiliations, the Taliban restrict access to humanitarian aid, leaving people with no choice but to seek alternatives to alleviate their deprivation. When individuals perceive their sect as the reason for being denied assistance, they are compelled to convert in exchange for essential provisions like bags of flour and barrels of oil, ensuring their families do not succumb to starvation. In essence, they are sacrificing their religious beliefs for the sake of survival.
Discrimination in Afghanistan has long been a characteristic of the modern state. When the central government came into power and abolished the existing monarchies, this led to widespread massacres. Since then, certain ethnic groups and religions have consistently faced exclusion in the country. These restrictions were imposed by the government, with some individuals also supporting the rulers’ actions. Currently, a radical religious-ethnic group holds power and has marginalized ethnic groups and followers of different sects, denying them access to power and wealth. Additionally, they have been denied humanitarian aid, adding to their hardships. The Taliban is diverting the attention of international organizations and aid workers, including the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). It is clear from monitoring the donations of this organization that certain ethnic groups and sects are being discriminated against. This is also the case with other relief organizations. Daily reports emerge from various regions of the country indicating that the Taliban are interfering in aid distribution and favoring their own affiliates. For instance, in Bamyan, the aid provided was insufficient and the flour was inedible and spoiled, whereas similar complaints have not been reported from other areas of the country.
Similarly, the Taliban governor in Daikundi province transferred the aid meant for the people of that province to the governor of Ghor province. In Ghazni province, after a year of Taliban rule, four districts inhabited by Hazaras had not received any aid, while the Pashtun-inhabited districts had received aid five to six times. Furthermore, it was discovered that the number of eligible recipients in those districts exceeded the actual population. As the two-year mark of their rule approached, the deprived districts in Ghazni received aid only once or thrice, which was reported to be insufficient and of low quality, rendering it unusable. In contrast, other districts received high-quality aid more than ten times. Yesterday, it was reported from Parwan province that the Taliban are selectively directing aid to villages and districts that they had control over during the end of the republic and consider as their “own” areas.
These events are not limited to the provinces of Parwan, Ghazni, Bamyan, and Daikundi. The entire country is divided into two groups: insiders and non-insiders, and aid is being distributed based on one’s relationship with the Taliban. The impoverished people, who are unable to access any roads, are desperately seeking humanitarian assistance. However, this aid is being diverted due to the Taliban’s interference. In such a dire situation, they are left with no choice but to resort to extreme measures to survive. It seems that the Ishkashimi Ismaili man’s last resort was to sacrifice his religious sect in exchange for access to humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, in doing so, he has put his own life at stake.
