Khatam al-Nabieen chief calls Taliban raid ‘politically, religiously’ motivated

A day after Taliban forces raided the Khatam al-Nabieen complex in Kabul and detained dozens of its instructors and students, Mohammad Jawad Mohseni, head of the complex, told Amu TV that the action was “politically and religiously” motivated.

Mohseni, who heads institutions affiliated with the Khatam al-Nabieen complex, said Taliban forces detained 28 instructors and students and that 24 remained in custody.

The Khatam al-Nabieen complex includes a religious seminary, Khatam al-Nabieen University and Tamadon TV. The institutions operated extensively during the former government.

The dispute between the complex and Taliban authorities has been unfolding for nearly two years.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has alleged that the institutions were linked to Afghanistan’s Islamic Movement Party. The Taliban banned political parties after returning to power in August 2021.

Taliban authorities have also claimed that buildings belonging to the complex were constructed on state-owned or illegally acquired land.

Khatam al-Nabieen officials reject the allegations.

Mohseni said Mohammad Asif Mohseni, the founder of the complex, had stepped down as leader of the Islamic Movement before establishing the institutions. He also rejected allegations that Tamadon TV is affiliated with a political party.

Mohseni said the land on which the complex was built was purchased from a private owner and that the institutions have legal documents for the property.

An informed source told Amu TV that the complex’s historical relationship with Iran has also been raised in connection with the dispute. Tamadon TV has in the past broadcast some programs and remarks by Iranian officials live, fueling speculation about the complex’s links with Tehran.

However, no independent evidence of Iranian involvement in the dispute has been made public.

Relations between Taliban authorities and the Khatam al-Nabieen complex did not appear to be marked by significant tensions during the first years after the Taliban returned to power. Some Taliban officials attended Muharram ceremonies at the seminary. But relations gradually deteriorated.

Tamadon TV, which was shut down about two months ago, said after the latest Taliban action that it would resume its activities on social media and make public documents and correspondence related to its dealings with the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice.

“Now that the Ministry of Justice, contrary to expectations and the path of understanding, has closed legal avenues to the Khatam al-Nabieen complex and forcibly entered the Khatam al-Nabieen seminary, disrespected this major scientific and religious center, confronted instructors and students and detained some of them, choosing a path of pressure and force, there is no longer any justification for remaining silent,” Tamadon TV said.

The Taliban action has also drawn reactions on social media. Some users have called for the complex to be closed, while others have described it as an important Shiite religious institution and argued that its closure would disregard the religious rights of Shiites.

Mohseni, however, maintains that the dispute extends beyond legal issues. He criticized what he described as “religious prejudice” among some Taliban officials, particularly Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Sharaee.

It remains unclear what led the relatively calm relationship between Taliban authorities and the Khatam al-Nabieen complex to deteriorate into the current confrontation.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Justice has not commented on the latest incident.