Systematic Oppression Of Shia Muslims By The Taliban - Interview With An Expert
The
Taliban's Apartheid Rule: A Regime of Exclusion
The Taliban's regime in Afghanistan, which has been in power since August 31, 2021, is characterized by a stark ethnic imbalance. Notably, the Taliban leadership consists exclusively of Pashtuns, with no representation from other ethnic groups, including Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Tajiks. Despite this, the Taliban claims to have established an inclusive government, which raises questions about their understanding of the term. It is unclear whether they are genuinely unaware of the definition of inclusivity or are simply feigning ignorance. However, given their well-documented ties to Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the ISI, it is likely that their actions are guided by external influences.
The
Mausoleum of Ali in Mazar-i-Sharif, a symbol of Shia Islam,
in the province of Balkh, Afghanistan, first built in the 11th century.
The
Taliban's assertions of inclusivity are nothing more than a ruse, intended to
deceive the public. The reality is that their government is dominated by a
small group of elderly, affluent Pashtun men from a limited number of tribes,
as evident from the composition of their leadership. This starkly contradicts
the notion of a representative and inclusive government.
In essence,
the Taliban's rule is a form of apartheid, where one ethnic group holds power
and excludes others from participation. This exclusionary approach is a major
obstacle to building a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, where all citizens
can contribute and benefit regardless of their ethnic background. The
international community should be vigilant in monitoring the Taliban's actions
and advocating for a more inclusive and representative government in
Afghanistan.
The
Taliban's leadership is predominantly composed of Pashtun individuals, which
has led some to characterize their current rule as a form of apartheid,
implying a system of institutionalized segregation and discrimination against
non-Pashtun ethnic groups.The
Taliban's Persecution of Shia Afghans*: A Case of Systemic Oppression
The
Taliban's oppressive regime in Afghanistan has a profoundly negative impact on
the country's Shia Muslim population, which accounts for 20-30% of the nation.
The current government, composed solely of Wahabi and Deobandi adherents,
promotes an extremist interpretation of Islam that is rejected by both Sunni
and Shia Muslims. This ideology is not representative of the broader Islamic
faith. Unfortunately, Shia Afghans face not only underrepresentation in the
government but also severe persecution and discrimination at the hands of the
Taliban.
While this
article does not delve into the gruesome details of executions and torture
inflicted upon Shia Afghans by the Taliban, which have been extensively
documented by human rights organizations, it highlights two recent instances of
discriminatory actions taken against this minority group during Ramadan in
April 2023.
Firstly, on
April 12, 2023, the Taliban denied a request from Shia scholars to incorporate
Jafari jurisprudence, the legal framework of Shia Islam, into university
curricula. The Taliban Ministry of Higher Education cited the pretext that
including Shia jurisprudence might prompt other religious groups to make
similar demands, thereby justifying their discriminatory decision. The
Taliban's document outlining this decision was made publicly available online.
These
actions exemplify the Taliban's ongoing efforts to marginalize and suppress the
Shia Muslim community in Afghanistan, undermining their rights and freedoms.
The
following document of the Taliban was published online:
The Taliban
issued a decree in several provinces and cities with substantial Shia
populations, prohibiting Shia Afghans from observing Eid al-Fitr, the festival
marking the end of Ramadan, on a different day as dictated by Jafari
jurisprudence. Instead, the Taliban enforced their rule in areas such as Balkh
and Ghazni, requiring Shia Afghans to conform to their instructions and hold
Eid prayers on the same day as the rest of the population.
Shafaqna
Afghanistan published multiple articles addressing this issue on several
occasions:
Meeting of anti-Taliban politicians, scholars and activists in Vienna on April 2023
A gathering of anti-Taliban politicians, academics, and activists was recently held in Vienna, Austria, towards the end of April 2023, where
Ahmad Massoud, the prominent leader of the Resistance Front, convened with
other Afghan stakeholders. In the aftermath of this gathering, Shaykh Zekriya
Mashkur, a respected Afghan Shia scholar, made several public statements
highlighting the plight of Shia Afghans under the Taliban's oppressive regime.
The press conference, which took place in Vienna, outlined the strategic objectives of the meeting and featured Ahmad Massoud as a key participant. A brief excerpt of Shaykh Kabuli's remarks can be viewed in the following video:
Additionally,
Mashkur Kabuli spoke with Shafaqna Afghanistan in an interview, and a
translated version of his statements is provided below:
Mashkur Kabuli in an Interview with Shafaqna: The Taliban's Control of Shiites is a False Idea/The Taliban are seeking to implement Religious and Scientific Apartheid
Publication date: May 2, 2023
In 2003, the Afghan constitution recognized Jafari jurisprudence alongside Hanafi jurisprudence, granting Shiites the right to practice their religion in matters of personal status and other areas. However, since the Taliban's return to power, they have treated Shiites, who comprise approximately 30% of Afghanistan's 40 million population, as a minority, violating their rights and freedoms.
The
Taliban's Reasons stem from the Logic of the Khawarij*
One notable
example of the Taliban's disregard for Shiite rights is their decision to ban
the teaching of Jafari jurisprudence at Bamyan University. The Taliban cited
reasons such as the need for a unified curriculum and law, claiming that
"a unified system must have a unified curriculum and law." They also
argued that "all Islamic countries also have a unified university
curriculum" and that the teaching of Jafari jurisprudence would
"create conflict among Sunni and Shiite students" and "create
costs for the university by establishing separate classes." Furthermore,
they claimed that there was a "lack of professional professors" to
teach Jafari jurisprudence.
Kabuli disagreed with the Taliban's rationale, stating that their arguments are derived from the "logic of the Khawarij," which falsely labels other Islamic sects as heretical. He highlighted the exemplary history of the Faculty of Jurisprudence and Law at Bamyan University, with no recorded instances of conflict between Sunnis and Shiites during its existence. Kabuli emphasized that the establishment of the Shia Jafari jurisprudence department at Bamyan University is based on the fundamental rights granted to Afghan citizens, particularly followers of the country's two official religions, Hanafi and Shia Jafari.
Taliban's
Ignorance of Global and Regional Laws
The
Taliban's behavior, Kabuli argued, is an attempt to impose a monolithic educational system,
which amounts to "cultural, scientific, and religious apartheid." He
emphasized that the previous constitution, approved in the presence of over
2,000 jurists, prominent Shia and Sunni scholars, and representatives of Afghan
political parties, tribes, and movements, recognized the rights of Shiites to
practice their religion. The constitution stipulated that the personal status
of Shiites should be taken seriously, based on courts related to them, and that
the teaching of Jafari jurisprudence should be codified in the educational
system.
Kabuli lambasted the Taliban's obliviousness to international and regional legal frameworks, which often incorporate a multitude of legal systems and curricula. He drew parallels with nations such as the United States, Germany, Iraq, Lebanon, and Pakistan - the latter being the Taliban's country of origin. These countries boast diverse educational systems that accommodate a wide range of religions and cultural backgrounds. The Taliban's attempts to impose a unified system, Kabuli argued, disregard the fundamental principles of diversity, inclusivity, and pluralism.
Taliban's
Treatment of Shiites has Historical Roots
Moreover, Mashkur
Kabuli disclosed a previously unknown conversation between former Taliban
leader Mullah Mohammad Omar and Ahmad Shah Massoud, the commander of the
resistance forces. According to Kabuli, Mullah Omar had set a precondition for
peace talks with Massoud, which was to exclude Shiites from the political
system. Mullah Omar demanded that Massoud distance himself from Shiites and prevent
them from holding government positions, and if they resisted, they should be
forced to leave Afghanistan.
Kabuli
described this conversation as a disturbing revelation of the Taliban's
deep-seated hostility towards Shia Muslims and their faith.
He noted that this animosity is not new, citing the Taliban's 25-year history
of perpetrating violent attacks on Shia mosques, universities, and other
gathering places. Kabuli also referenced a past statement by Mullah Niazi, a
former Taliban governor, who publicly declared that Shiites should either
convert to Sunni Islam or leave Afghanistan.
Kabuli asserted that the current Taliban regime is more hypocritical than its predecessor, having adopted a more complex and duplicitous approach under the influence of Western powers and intelligence agencies. He dismissed the idea that the Taliban can exert control over Afghanistan's Shia population, stating that Shiites have become an integral part of the country's political, cultural, and economic fabric over the past 40 years. Kabuli argued that any attempt to suppress or transform the Shia identity would be futile.
The Duty
of the Council of Scholars is more than issuing a statement
The Council
of Shiite Scholars has a responsibility that goes beyond merely issuing
statements. According to Mashkur Kabuli, the Council's role in supporting
Afghan Shiites should be more proactive. He emphasized that meaningful
interaction requires a two-way process, but so far, the engagement between
Shiite institutions and the Taliban has been largely one-sided, with Shiite
representatives bearing the brunt of humiliation. A notable incident occurred
when Taliban soldiers disrupted a meeting of the Council of Shiite Scholars,
disrespecting the gathered scholars and elders. Instead of taking a firm stance
against such behavior, some Shiite representatives even expressed gratitude
towards the aggressive Taliban soldiers.
Kabuli also
addressed the limited representation of Shiites within the Taliban government,
pointing out that the few Shiites holding deputy minister positions lack real
authority and budgetary control. He suggested that these individuals may have
been appointed by intelligence agencies, such as Pakistan's ISI, to serve
specific interests rather than genuinely representing the Afghan Shiite
community.
Shiite Leaders support Afghan Shiites
Regarding
the expectations of Afghan Shiites from prominent Shiite leaders, Kabuli stated
that they look to revered seminaries like Qom and
Najaf to provide support and assistance. He expressed hope that these entities
would utilize their resources and influence to pressure the Taliban into
adopting a more constructive and inclusive approach, ultimately leading to the
formation of a nationally elected government. Kabuli warned that if the Taliban
were to consolidate power, they would pose an even greater threat than before,
not only to Afghan Shiites but also to the broader region.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Kabuli's interview served as a call to action,
urging the international community to recognize the plight of Afghan Shiites
and support their struggle for equality and justice. He emphasized that the
Taliban's attempts to impose a monolithic system on Afghanistan's diverse
population will only lead to further conflict and instability, and that a
inclusive, nationally elected government is the only way to ensure peace and
prosperity in the war-torn country.
In conclusion, Kabuli's interview highlighted the Taliban's misguided ideology and their attempts to impose a monolithic system on Afghanistan's diverse population. He emphasized the need for the international community to recognize the rights of minorities and support the Afghan Shiite community in their struggle for equality and justice. The Taliban's behavior, Kabuli argued, is a clear indication of their intention to eliminate the cultural, religious, and social identity of the Shiites, which is a fundamental right granted to all Afghan citizens.
End Notes:
*Short Information Note on Shiites and Sunnis:
Islam, one
of the world's major religions, has two primary branches: Sunni and Shia. Here
are some key facts about these two groups:
- Global
Numbers: Approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, with:
- Sunnis:
around 1.5 billion (85-90% of the global Muslim population)
- Shias:
around 200-250 million (10-15% of the global Muslim population)
- Geographic
Distribution: Sunnis are found in most Muslim-majority countries,
while Shias have significant populations in countries like Iran, Iraq,
Pakistan, and Lebanon.
- Theological
Differences: The main difference between Sunnis and Shias lies in
their beliefs about the succession of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis believe
that the prophet's successor should have been chosen through a consensus
of the community, while Shias believe that the successor should have been
a member of the prophet's family, specifically his cousin and son-in-law,
Ali.
Projection on Afghanistan:
In Afghanistan, the demographic makeup of Sunnis and Shias
is as follows:
- Population: Approximately
38 million people, with:
- Sunnis:
around 27-30 million (70-80% of the population)
- Shias:
around 8-11 million (20-30% of the population)
- Ethnic
Breakdown: The Shia population in Afghanistan is primarily
composed of:
- Hazaras:
around 3-4 million (mostly Shia, with some Sunni minorities)
- Tajiks:
around 1-2 million (mostly Sunni, with some Shia minorities)
- Other
ethnic groups: including Pashtuns, Uzbeks, and Turkmens, who are mostly
Sunni
- Regional
Distribution: Shias are concentrated in certain regions,
including:
- Hazarajat:
a mountainous region in central Afghanistan, where Hazaras are the
majority
- Kabul:
the capital city, which has a significant Shia population
- Herat:
a western province with a sizable Shia population
- Conflict
and Tensions: The sectarian divide between Sunnis and Shias in
Afghanistan has contributed to conflict and tensions, particularly during
the Taliban's rule (1996-2001) and in recent years, with extremist groups
like the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Taliban targeting Shia communities.
Link to
the original source in Farsi: https://af.shafaqna.com/FA/560468
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