Categories : News

‘Initial Taliban moves fail to convince Afghanistan’s neighbours and near-neighbours’
By James M. Dorsey
China-India Brief #188
August 28, 2021 – September 14, 2021

‘Targeted for genocide in Afghanistan: The Hazaras
The plight of the Hazaras isn’t well known on the international stage. They are an ethno-religious minority, about 9% of the Afghani population of 36 million.’
Minnpost,
7.9.21

‘Afghanistan’s Hazaras Get Mixed Messages From the Taliban
The Islamic State-Khorasan has come to represent a greater threat to the persecuted minority.’
Foreign Policy
4.9.21
(Ed note: This article is behind a pay-wall.)

‘Fearing Persecution, Afghan Hazara Shia Muslim Families Find Refuge in Pakistan’s Quetta’
News18
3.9.21

‘Shia leader Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Saeed al-Hakeem dies in Iraq
Funeral ceremonies for top Shia leader expected to be held in holy city of Najaf and its twin city of Karbala.’
alJazeera
3.9.21
See also France24
See also Bloomberg, 3.9.21

‘In Pictures: Muslims worldwide mark Ashura
Worshippers mark the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala and mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet’s grandson.’
alJazeera
19.8.21

‘Hazara Shias flee Afghanistan fearing Taliban persecution
Attacks on religious minority prompt exodus of thousands across border to Pakistan to seek safety’
The Guardian
30.8.21

‘Afghanistan’s Shia are fearful in face of Taliban takeover
Historic victims of persecution treat militants’ promise of tolerance with caution.’
Financial Times
26.8.21
(Ed. note: This is behind a pay-wall.)

هل يستمر شهر العسل بين «طالبان» وطهران؟
الحركة الأفغانية تفتح «سدود هلمند» باتجاه إيران
Al-Jarida (Kuwait)
25-08-2021
وقبل أيام، زار مسؤول ميداني في «طالبان» أحد مجالس عاشوراء في هرات، واعتذر عن قيام عناصر غير منضبطة بإنزال رايات عاشورائية خلال إحياء الأقلية الشيعية لذكرى عاشوراء. ويعكس هذا تغييراً في سياسة الحركة.
A few days ago, a field official in the Taliban visited an Ashura gathering in Herat and apologized for the fact that undisciplined elements lowered Ashura banners while the Shi’i minority was commemorating this occasion. This reflected a change in the Movement’s policy.

‘Afghanistan’s minority Hazaras see gains of past two decades “falling apart”
The Taliban may be talking the inclusivity talk, but Afghanistan’s historically marginalised Hazaras are not convinced the hardline Sunni Islamist group is walking the walk on the ground. Last week’s decapitation of a statue of a major Hazara leader killed by the Taliban in 1995 has done little to allay those fears.’
France24
23.8.21