In a quiet but clear act of defiance, the predominantly Hazara and Shia residents of West Kabul celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Monday, diverging from the Taliban’s official announcement marking the holiday on Sunday.
While the Taliban aligned its Eid declaration with Saudi Arabia and held prayers across the country on 30 March, many Shia communities in Kabul gathered in mosques a day later. Reports received by Afghanistan International indicate that mosque attendance in areas such as the Al-Zahra Mosque was notably high, reflecting widespread adherence to the Shia tradition of confirming Eid based on separate moon-sighting criteria.
This is not the first time Eid has been observed on different days across Afghanistan. Such divergences occurred even under previous governments, but under Taliban rule, celebrating Eid on an alternate date can carry political and social risks.
According to recent reports, Taliban forces in some districts—including Malistan in Ghazni province—attempted to compel Shia residents to break their fast on Sunday. Over the past four years, there have been several cases of the Taliban pressuring Shia communities to conform to its Supreme Court’s Eid announcements. In some instances, Taliban members reportedly used force or coerced Shia clerics into leading prayers on dates dictated by the group.
Despite this pressure, the tradition among Shia communities in regions such as Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, and the central highlands is to follow religious rulings issued by Shia scholars, which typically align with Iran’s announcement of Eid.
This year, no incidents of forced Eid observance were reported in Hazara and Shia-majority areas of Kabul or other provinces. However, there are accounts suggesting Taliban intelligence operatives relayed instructions through village elders in central provinces, insisting that Eid be celebrated according to the Taliban’s timetable.
Meanwhile, Taliban leaders held their own Eid prayers on Sunday. Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada led prayers in Kandahar’s Eidgah Mosque, while other senior officials prayed at the Arg (Presidential Palace) and Sapedar Palace in Kabul. However, the separate gatherings by different factions highlighted internal rifts within the Taliban’s leadership.
Of note is the recent demotion of Abdul Kabir, formerly a deputy prime minister, who was reassigned as acting minister of refugees. Despite the change, Kabir reportedly continues to operate from the Sapedar Palace, underscoring ongoing political tensions within the Taliban ranks.
