A leading Shia cleric, Hussein Dad Sharifi, has publicly accused Taliban morality police of detaining and assaulting him after he officiated a temporary marriage in Kabul, signaling mounting pressure on Afghanistan's Shia minority under Taliban rule. Sharifi claims that on May 6 officers from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice detained him, transported him to Kabul's District 18 police station, and beat him, knocking his turban from his head. He further alleges that dozens of Shia clerics have been detained and compelled to sign pledges promising not to conduct temporary marriages again, or face imprisonment. Speaking at a Kabul mosque, Sharifi argued that the Taliban are denying Shias the freedom to practice their faith and are treating Shia clerics like criminals. He criticized public scrutiny of young couples in markets and demands for marriage certificates, calling such actions humiliating. Referencing a recent incident in Dasht-e-Barchi, he described a couple shopping for wedding items who were detained over accusations of an extramarital relationship, and his own assault after officiating their marriage. Sharifi warned that Taliban policies risk deepening sectarian divisions and eroding Afghanistan's social fabric, noting that Ismailis and other religious minorities have also faced increasing discrimination and pressure. Human rights groups and minority representatives have long raised concerns about shrinking religious freedoms, exclusion from public life, and intimidation since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Afghanistan Shia Commission has formally raised concerns with Taliban officials and urged preventive measures to stop similar incidents. In my view, if these allegations are substantiated by independent reporting and corroborating witnesses, they point to a troubling pattern of state-sanctioned intimidation against minority religious communities. Transparent investigations, accountability for abuses, and stronger protections for freedom of worship are essential to restore trust and prevent further escalation of sectarian tensions in Afghanistan.
Source: Statement from @AfghanTimes7
Public Engagement: 190 views • 8 likes • 3 shares
Published: May 17, 2026, 3:54 am
Editorial Note: This article is based on publicly available information and official statements. We strives for accuracy and fairness in all reporting.
