Civil Disobedience Against Taliban as People, Including Women, March In Kabul On Ashura

Hundreds of residents of western Kabul neglected severe restrictions of the Taliban on Shias and marched on the streets of the Dasht-e Barchi area in District 13 on the Day of Ashura.

In a video clip received by Afghanistan International, a large group of women also participated in the march in western Kabul as an act of civil disobedience against the restrictions of the Taliban.

Earlier, in Kabul, influential Shia cleric, Ayatollah Seyed Mohsen Hojjat had asked Shias not to heed the restrictive orders of the Taliban.

This year, the Taliban imposed unprecedented restrictions on Shias’ celebration of Ashura and the month of Muharram.

In the past week, Afghanistan International published several video clips and reports showing that the Taliban suppressed the gatherings of mourners and prevented Shia mourning ceremonies across Afghanistan.

In the latest case on Friday, at least one person died and several others had been injured when the Taliban shot at a Shia gathering who performed rituals on the Day of Ashura in Ghazni city.

In another video clip received by Afghanistan International, the Taliban violently dispersed Shia mourners in Chindawol area of Kabul.

The Taliban stopped caravans of Shia mourners in districts 1 and 10 of Kabul city too.

Earlier, Khalid Zadran, the Taliban’s police spokesperson in Kabul, confirmed that the group had prevented the convoys of Muharram mourners in Kabul.

Khalid Zadran said, "Some caused disorder in public areas and roads in a disorganised manner and contrary to the sayings of the elders, which caused the security forces to stop them out of their responsibility and security."