Taliban’s Morality Minister Meets with Afghanistan’s Shiite Commission Representatives
Sheikh Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, as well as for Hearing Complaints, met with a delegation from Afghanistan’s High Shiite Commission in Kabul on Monday. According to the Taliban administration, the purpose of the meeting was to “listen to the concerns” of residents in Shiite-populated regions and to strengthen coordination.
During the meeting, Hanafi stated that in his view, “foreign entities” are attempting to sow discord among Muslims, but he asserted that “Muslims should unite to present the true face of the Islamic system to the world.” He added that Taliban officials are “servants of the people” and that citizens are free to voice their complaints.
While the minister emphasized the importance of hearing grievances and resolving issues, human rights observers have repeatedly voiced concern about systemic discrimination against religious minorities, particularly the Shiite community—an issue that the Taliban’s official communications have yet to clearly address.
Mohammad Ali Ekhlaqi, head of the High Shiite Commission, also spoke during the meeting, outlining the commission’s activities and expressing support for certain initiatives by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue. He claimed that the Shiite community aligns with the ministry’s goals of promoting religious values.
Despite the involvement of some Shiite representatives in such meetings, widespread restrictions on religious freedom, political participation, and civil rights for Shiites remain in place. Repeated promises to address these concerns have so far failed to bring about any tangible improvement in the condition of this religious minority.
