Taliban ministry closes three more Shiite-linked institutions in Kabul

Local sources told Amu TV that the Taliban’s justice ministry headed by Abdul Hakim Sharaee has closed three more institutions serving the Shiite community in western Kabul, including a medical clinic, a religious school and a cultural center, expanding a series of closures targeting Shiite-linked institutions in the capital.

According to the sources, the centers include Al-Zahra Clinic, the Tebyan Center and the Resalat religious school. The sources said the ministry did not provide a clear reason for the closures.

One resident of western Kabul, who asked not to be identified because of security concerns, said patients were forced out of Al-Zahra Clinic when Taliban personnel closed the facility.

“They closed Al-Zahra Clinic, they closed the Tebyan Center, and they closed the Resalat seminary, which is a religious center for Shiites,” the resident told Amu TV. “When they closed Al-Zahra Clinic, the patients were forced out of the hospital in a very harsh manner.”

A separate local report also said the clinic was sealed by Justice Ministry personnel over the weekend and that no reason had been publicly given for the action.

The latest closures come after a series of actions involving Shiite religious, educational and community institutions in western Kabul.

On Sept. 22, the Justice Ministry closed the Khatam al-Anbia religious school and scientific-cultural complex in western Kabul. Ministry personnel said the center had been involved in “anti-emirate activities,” but no further details were provided.

Earlier in September, Taliban authorities also moved against the Khatam al-Nabieen complex. The Taliban’s Higher Education Ministry later revoked the operating license of Khatam al-Nabieen University in Kabul and Ghazni, saying the institution had violated administrative and academic policies, misused its status and failed to observe approved Islamic principles and regulations.

The university’s owner, Mohammad Jawad Mohseni, rejected those allegations and said authorities had not produced evidence to substantiate them. Nearly 4,000 students had been enrolled in undergraduate and master’s programs at the university’s Kabul and Ghazni campuses when its license was canceled.

Students told Amu TV that they remain uncertain about how they will continue their education.

The Higher Education Ministry has said students could transfer to other universities at discounted rates, but students said they face questions over whether completed courses will be recognized, how much they will have to pay and whether they can continue their programs without interruption.

One Khatam al-Nabieen student said the closure has created particular difficulties for students in programs that included Ja’fari jurisprudence.

“There were certain things at the university, including a system under which Ja’fari jurisprudence was taught, especially for those studying law,” the student told Amu TV. “That has made things difficult for them.”

Mohammad Omar Ghorbandi, a university lecturer, questioned the legal basis for actions against the institution.

“The question is, what is the legal relationship between a university and a political party?” Ghorbandi told Amu TV. “Where is the evidence for this claim? What is the legal basis for it?”

Hassan Ali Adalat, a political analyst, accused Taliban authorities of discriminating against Hazaras and Shiites and said the closures reflected broader pressure on the community.

“They do not accept Hazaras, nor do they accept Shiites from a religious perspective,” Adalat told Amu TV, alleging that authorities had taken control of property and institutions belonging to the Shiite community.

The developments have unfolded alongside other recent actions involving Shiite community organizations. Earlier this month, Taliban Justice Ministry personnel detained the head and several members of Afghanistan’s High Shiite Commission, according to sources within the commission. Sources later told Amu TV that the detainees were released after nine days, with conditions including an end to the commission’s activities.

Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaee has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the latest closures despite questions and criticism surrounding the ministry’s actions.