RASC News Agency: The Afghanistan Freedom Front recently declared that the Taliban are systematically depriving citizens of their historical and religious identity. According to a statement released on Sunday, July 14th, the Afghanistan Freedom Front asserted that the commemoration of Ashura by Sunni and Shia Muslims has historically symbolized the greatest expression of religious unity, tolerance, and cohesion in the country.
The statement reads: “The Taliban, continuing their policy of identity erasure and homogenization, have once again harassed Ashura mourners this year, attempting to deprive our people of the celebration of their historical and religious identity.” The announcement from this opposition front describes the Taliban’s actions against Ashura mourners as “inhumane.”
The Freedom Front further emphasized that the Taliban oppose the commemoration of Ashura due to their fear of the spirit and motivation for uprising and resistance against oppression among the Afghanistani people. Since the Taliban’s takeover of the country, annual restrictions on Ashura ceremonies have intensified across various provinces.
Recently, the Taliban have imposed even harsher restrictions on Ashura mourners in Herat, Kabul, Ghazni, and several other provinces, targeting and suppressing the Shia community. Additionally, in a violent and oppressive move, the Taliban killed a young Shia man in the Jabriel district of Herat province yesterday.
