An influential Shia cleric in Kabul: Do not listen to the Taliban’s restrictions on Muharram mourning
In the continuation of the controversies over the restriction of the Muharram mourning ceremony among Afghan Shiites by the Taliban government, one of the influential Shiite clerics in Kabul has asked the Shiites not to pay attention to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
Mohsen Hojat, one of the Shiite clerics in Afghanistan, said that they will “obey” the Taliban government as long as the opponents of their religion do not say anything.
This year, the Taliban government has imposed extensive restrictions on the celebration of the tenth month of Muharram in Kabul. Taliban officials say that these restrictions have been made to “ensure security and prevent attacks by the Khorasan branch of ISIS”.
Mr. Hojjat, who was speaking in the crowd of Muharram mourners in Kabul, said: Just as we respect other people’s culture, we also ask others to respect our religion when the government wants to limit it. It’s not just my duty to stand up, it’s not your job, it’s not his job, it’s our job, here we all have to support each other, let’s say we are from this country, we follow this government, don’t tell us anything against our religion, if it says the flag let’s take it down, let’s not take it down, if he says don’t put up a sign, let’s not listen, now sir they are hitting, yes, they are hitting. They may hit, they hit a few people today.”
The released videos from the Shiite area west of Kabul also show that the Taliban violently disrupted the street ceremony of Shiite mourners. In a part of one of these videos sent by BBC Persian audience, it can be seen that Taliban agents are dispersing Muharram mourners with rifle butts and swords.
In another video, a Taliban soldier can be seen hitting the mourners with a stick.
In recent days, some Taliban forces have removed Muharram flags from shops, houses and even mosques in some Shia neighborhoods of Kabul, and it is said that some shops have been closed due to the installation of mourning flags by the Taliban.
A few days ago, Afghan Shiites signed a petition and asked the Taliban to remove restrictions on holding religious ceremonies in mosques.
However, the Taliban has said that “the freedom of Afghan Shiites remains intact during the Muharram festival” and that the restrictions are aimed at ensuring security.
At the same time, the Shia Ulema Council of Afghanistan has asked the mourners to refrain from mourning in the streets and mass movements on the day of Ashura due to security issues.
Last week, the Shia people of Kabul said that a delegation consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Police Command, Intelligence, Amr Be Maruf, and Hajj and Endowment Guidance of the Taliban government went to the Shia neighborhoods and said that Muharram mourning ceremonies were held in a number of mosques and takayas. not be held
Earlier, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that Muharram remains free.
Mohammad Qasim Khalid, the Taliban governor in Kabul, recently said that they have formed two security and cultural committees to hold Muharram mourning ceremonies in a safe environment.
In the past years and before the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, Shiites were free to hold the Muharram mourning ceremony and celebrated it widely.
But in the Afghan Shia community, not everyone agrees with the way this ceremony is held. Some people say that some of the rituals that are performed during Muharram mourning, such as throwing machetes or setting up black-clad gates in the streets, have nothing to do with Ashura.
The Council of Shia Ulemas of Afghanistan has also emphasized that the mourners should refrain from smearing blood on their backs and sides and from harming themselves. This council asked them to go to blood banks and donate blood.
