Senior Shia scholars in Kabul said the Taliban have increasingly restricted the religious practices of the Shia community [1, 2].
These restrictions signal a deepening rift between the ruling authorities and a significant minority group, challenging the Taliban's earlier assurances of religious freedom and inclusivity.
Clerics described the current environment as a "dagger in the chest," alleging that the regime has systematically limited worship and other core religious practices [1, 2]. Among the specific grievances is the banning of temporary marriage, known as mut‘ah, which is a recognized practice within Shia jurisprudence [1, 2].
The Shia community represents approximately 15% of the total population of Afghanistan [1]. Scholars said the current policies violate the promises made by the Taliban when they first seized power [1, 2].
This escalation comes as the Taliban mark five years of control over the country [1]. While the regime has maintained its grip on the state, the Shia minority reports a steady decline in their ability to practice their faith without interference [1, 2].
Authorities in Kabul have not provided a detailed public response to these specific allegations from the clerical community. However, the reports from senior scholars suggest that the administrative restrictions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of discrimination [1, 2].
The tension highlights the difficulty of maintaining pluralism under the current governance structure. Scholars said the restrictions on worship, and the ban on mut‘ah marriage, are evidence that the regime is imposing its own strict interpretations of faith on others [1, 2].
“The situation is described by scholars as a 'dagger in the chest.'”
The grievances aired by Shia scholars indicate that the Taliban's approach to governance remains centered on a narrow ideological framework that marginalizes minority sects. By restricting specific religious rites like mut‘ah marriage, the regime is not only limiting personal liberties but is actively challenging the theological legitimacy of the Shia faith in Afghanistan. This systemic friction suggests that the Taliban's early promises of broad religious tolerance were tactical rather than structural, potentially increasing the risk of internal sectarian instability.
