KABUL: Taliban forces have detained several prominent Hazara and Shia elders in Kabul, including former Afghan lawmakers, following a meeting over issues affecting the community, according to Afghanistan International.
The detentions followed a day after a protest in western Kabul at the Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary, a prominent religious and educational centre, when Taliban forces ordered its officials and students to evacuate.
Those detained include Sayed Sufi Gardizi, head of the Hazara and Shia Elders’ Public Relations Office, as well as former members of parliament Sayed Hassan Sharif Balkhabi and Hussain Sangardost.
Reports of Unrest in Kabul
The Taliban reportedly surrounded the Khatm al-Anbia Shia religious school in Kabul’s Kart-e-Chahar area earlier today. Students and teachers are said to have resisted the move, leading to several arrests.
Following the incident, students reportedly…
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Two guards, three visitors and the organisation’s cook were also detained, the sources said.
Taliban Forces Raid Kabul Office
Earlier, Hazara and Shia community elders met on Sunday at the organisation’s office in Kabul’s Karte Seh area.
Participants had gathered to discuss developments surrounding the Khatam al-Nabieen seminary.
Sources told Afghanistan International that during the meeting, Kabul’s Taliban governor called Gardizi and asked him to leave the gathering and visit the governor’s office.
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Gardizi was subsequently advised to go to the office of Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharei, where he was detained, according to the report.
Minutes after the gathering ended, armed forces linked to the Justice Ministry surrounded and raided the Hazara and Shia Elders’ Public Relations Office, detaining those still inside.
Elders Oppose Recent Actions
The crackdown follows criticism by Hazara and Shia representatives of actions attributed to the Taliban Justice Minister.
Last month, Shia clerics, politicians and community elders called for the reopening of Tamadon TV, Khatam al-Nabieen seminary and other Shia religious schools.
They also sought the reversal of a decision concerning Omid-e Sabz township and an end to what they described as discriminatory treatment of ethnic and religious communities.
