Shia Council Asks People To Not Mourn In Caravans In Public Spaces in Afghanistan

Following the Taliban's imposed restrictions on the month of Muharram, the Shia Ulema Council asked people to refrain from collective mourning in the streets.

The Council also asked people to individually visit the shrines of Abolfazl and Sakhi in Kabul. These two are the most popular Shia shrines in Kabul.

In a statement, this council specifically asked the Shia mourners to refrain from appearing in mourning caravans on the streets on the 7th and 10th of Muharram.

Under the previous Afghan government, Shiites used to move from one place to another in the form of mourning caravans.

The Shia Ulema Council recently asked the Taliban twice to lift the restrictions on the Muharram ceremony in Afghanistan.

The council had confirmed that the Taliban had ordered a ban on raising flags on Muharram and opening cabins for volunteer distribution of food and water.

The Taliban governor in Kabul had also announced that Shias can only hold mourning ceremonies during the month of Muharram at mosques and other religious centers that “have no security risks”.

In recent days, reports were published that the Taliban in Kabul prevented the movement of the mourners' convoys and beat Shia mourners in the streets of the capital city.

After the Taliban imposed restrictions on the Muharram ceremony, several political and military groups opposed to the Taliban condemned the group’s anti-Shia acts.