POLITICS — June 26, 2026
Taliban Officials Decline Invitations to Ashura Ceremonies
Former President Hamid Karzai was prevented from attending a mourning ceremony while authorities closed a Shiite television channel and a seminary in Kabul.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Taliban officials declined invitations to attend Ashura ceremonies at hussainiyas and mosques. They also prevented former President Hamid Karzai from participating in a mourning ceremony.
Authorities closed Tamadon TV, a Shiite-affiliated media outlet, and shut down the Khatam al-Nabiyyin seminary in Kabul. Bans were imposed on Muharram flags and symbols in cities, while vehicle patrols were restricted in western Kabul.
Telecommunications were cut in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Ghazni, and Bamyan. The Minister of Justice ordered the imprisonment of dozens of mosque officials and Muharram mourners for raising flags.
Arrests of journalists and mosque officials were also reported in connection with Ashura-related activities. The National Resistance Front, Freedom Front, Afghanistan Media Support Organization, and Council of Shiite Scholars of Afghanistan documented the detentions and criticized the measures.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source with multiple named attributions including Hamid Karzai, Maulvi Shahabuddin Delawar, specific Taliban ministers, National Resistance Front, Freedom Front, Afghanistan Media Support Organization, and Council of Shiite Scholars of Afghanistan; concrete details on locations, institutions, and actions provided
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "Escalation of restrictions on Shiites", "intensification of these restrictions... indicates the Taliban's stricter approach towards religious and cultural diversity", "fueling religious tensions by putting pressure on Shiites" — these phrases frame the Taliban's actions with negative judgment and imply systematic oppression and sectarian provocation.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Afghanistan International
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Politics — Taliban, Ashura, Shiites, Hamid Karzai, Tamadon TV
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