Afghan Shias Object to Restrictions Imposed by Taliban on Muharram Rituals
They have warned the Taliban not to test the patience of people anymore with such moves, Amo news reported.
Shia mourners say the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on their Muharram rituals and in some cases desecrated Ashura flags.
The Taliban have banned Muharram processions in public places and raising flags of Ashura in streets.
These measures have been described as disrespect to the Shia community and the people of Afghanistan.
A demonstration was held Friday in the eastern city of Herat against such measures.
Earlier in the day, the head of the Taliban’s information and culture department had described the Ashura mourning ceremonies as a political Bid’ah (heresy) that comes from abroad and should be prevented.
Shia Muslims have criticized such comments and moves, calling on the Taliban to refrain from interfering in people’s religious affairs.
Shia Muslims form a minority in Afghanistan that is mostly drawn from the country’s Hazara community.
The community, the poorest of the country’s ethnic groups, accounts for about 22 percent of Afghanistan’s population. Its members have been targeted in several large-scale kidnappings and killings, including by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, across Afghanistan in the past.
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Muharram is the first month in the lunar Hijri calendar.
Shia Muslims, and others in different parts of the world, hold ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.
The third Shia Imam (AS) and a small group of his followers and family members were martyred by the tyrant of his time - Yazid Bin Muawiya, in the battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram (known as Ashura) in the year 680 AD.
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