Sources: Taliban forced Kabul residents to perform 20 rak'ahs of Taraweeh prayers at gunpoint

KABUL — Sources told Hasht-e Subh that enforcers from the Taliban's Amr bil Maruf wa Nahi anil Munkar department entered the Hazrat Bilal Mosque in phase one of Arya City in Kabul armed with weapons on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The enforcers compelled worshippers to perform 20 rak'ahs of Taraweeh prayer, threatening arrest for anyone leaving the mosque before completion.

The sources said the Taliban also entered the women's section of the mosque and expelled the women. Armed Taliban members remained in the mosque until the prayer concluded to ensure compliance.

Elderly and ill individuals present could not object due to fear of the armed enforcers and performed the prayer as instructed, according to the sources. The Taliban enforcers did not perform the Taraweeh prayer themselves but enforced attendance at gunpoint.

The incident comes amid a January announcement by Saudi Arabia reducing Taraweeh prayers from 20 to 10 rak'ahs.