Nurullah Noori, the Taliban’s Minister of Tribal and Ethnic Affairs, attended the office of the High Commission of Shiite Affairs on Tuesday on the occasion of Ashura. In his remarks, he claimed that sectarian divisions were greater during the previous government, but that such issues no longer exist in Afghanistan today.
Noori stated that the Taliban administration has been able to ensure national unity in Afghanistan and has brought all ethnic groups and religious communities together under the umbrella of an “Islamic government.” He also claimed that all ethnic groups in the country stand alongside the Taliban administration and support it.
In another part of his remarks, the Taliban minister asserted that the group has established a level of security in Afghanistan that, according to him, is unparalleled globally.
He also criticized opponents of the Taliban who are based outside Afghanistan, saying that these individuals continuously speak of “liberating Afghanistan,” while, according to him, no foreign forces are present in the country and it is unclear what they mean by Afghanistan’s “liberation.”
Noori added: “People do not support those who seek to create war and undermine unity.”
The meeting was held with the participation of several members of the Council of Ulema and local representatives at the office of the High Commission of Shiite Affairs. This commission was established by Taliban intelligence services and operates under its supervision.
These remarks come at a time when the Taliban, as in previous years, have imposed restrictions on the observance of Muharram ceremonies this year as well. According to reports, the Taliban’s Minister of Justice has arrested several Shiite officials and community elders for raising Muharram flags and has detained them in his private prison.
Furthermore, this year, none of the Taliban’s senior officials attended Shiite religious ceremonies marking Ashura.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
