Taliban Target Shiite Spiritual Heritage Amid Ongoing Oppression
Over the past three years, the Taliban have steadily advanced their agenda. After consolidating control over the Shiite population and insulting their leaders, they have now begun to plunder the Shiites’ spiritual assets.
The removal of personal status laws of the Shiite community from the courts, banning the teaching of Ja’fari jurisprudence in schools and universities, confiscation of Shiite jurisprudential and theological books from libraries and bookstores, and similar measures have all been part of a deliberate plan to seize the Shiites’ spiritual heritage.
The recent Taliban encroachment on the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex and the Tamaddon Television Network is also part of this effort to appropriate Shiite spiritual assets.
While the loss of a few bricks or a few meters of land may seem insignificant compared to the blood, dignity, and wealth the Shiites have lost to the Taliban over the years, the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex and other Shiite-held sites represent spiritual assets. Seizing them is effectively an attack on these assets.
Therefore, resisting the continued Taliban encroachment, just as confronting their totalitarianism in other areas, is a duty. However, this resistance must become a public demand, not a personal dispute.
The approach taken by Mr. Javad Mohseni to resolve the issue—arguing the non-partisan nature of the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex or relying on its trustees—reduces the matter to a private legal dispute. In reality, the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex belongs to all Shiites, and indeed to all Muslims of Afghanistan, as a public scientific and cultural center.
If the Taliban fundamentally oppose cultural and religious centers that benefit the general public, so be it. Otherwise, on what grounds do they seize public assets?
In my opinion, holding the Taliban accountable at the root is mistaken. Even if we have rightful claims, the Taliban will not comply because their aim is plunder. Instead of asking the Taliban to review the Ministry of Justice’s documents and records, I suggest mobilizing the people, as the rightful owners of these centers, to take action.
The blessed Eid al-Ghadir and the month of Muharram are approaching. Holding preliminary gatherings for these important occasions at the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex, with the attendance of thousands of Shiites, would be the best response to the Taliban’s plundering.
It should be noted that if the Khatam al-Anbiya Complex is seized, no other asset, even if one insists on loyalty oaths and flattery, will remain safe; they will be looted one after another.
Finally, the ultimate outcome of dealing with and pledging allegiance to the Taliban is loss in this world and the hereafter. The Taliban may succeed in erasing us through suppression, but it is better to die with dignity than to live in humiliation.
Seyed Mohammad Mousavi
