Taliban Block Shia Eid al-Fitr Prayers In Parts Of Kabul, Say Sources

Local sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban prevented Shia Muslims from holding Eid al-Fitr prayers in some areas of Kabul.

Local sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban prevented Shia Muslims from holding Eid al-Fitr prayers in some areas of Kabul.
According to the sources, most Shia Muslims observed Eid on Saturday, but Taliban forces were deployed at the entrances of Shia mosques, including in western Kabul, to block the prayers.
An eyewitness from Kabul's District 6 told Afghanistan International: “The Taliban are not allowing Shia Muslims to enter the mosques.”
Another eyewitness from Kabul said Taliban forces in the Dasht-e Barchi area of Kabul “are preventing the holding of Eid prayers.”
The Taliban have not issued an official comment on the matter so far.
Sources previously confirmed to Afghanistan International that the Taliban had detained several Shia clerics.
The Taliban, unlike many other countries, declared Thursday as Eid al-Fitr and urged Shia Muslims to observe the holiday and perform prayers on that day.
Information received by Afghanistan International indicates that most Shia Muslims in Afghanistan did not follow the Taliban's directive.
Followers of Shia Islam in various countries, including Iran, Pakistan and Iraq, regard Saturday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
Shia clerics say that under Shia jurisprudence, the determination of Eid al-Fitr is the responsibility of religious authorities (marja' taqlid).
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, one of the leading Shia religious authorities with followers in Afghanistan as well, announced Saturday as Eid al-Fitr.