Taliban Arrest Shia Clerics in Herat for Opposing Eid al-Fitr Announcement

Taliban authorities in Herat arrested several Shia clerics after they refused to commit to celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Thursday as declared by the Taliban, according to sources.

The Taliban's Hajj and Endowments Directorate in Herat held a meeting on Tuesday with mullah imams of mosques and members of the Shia Ulema Council, sources said. Officials presented a written document asking attendees to sign and pledge to observe Eid according to the Taliban's announcement. The Shia scholars declined, stating that the determination of Eid and fasting days in Shia jurisprudence follows decisions by marja' taqlid.

During the meeting, Taliban forces arrested Muhammad Rouhani, head of seminaries in southwestern Afghanistan and head of Sadighiyeh Seminary, sources said. On Wednesday, they also arrested Khudadad Ehsani, representative of Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Kabuli and preacher at al-Mehdi Jibril Mosque, as well as Muhammad Akbari, former head of the Jibril Ulema Council, and several other Shia scholars in Herat. The detainees were transferred to prison.

The Taliban declared Thursday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr, differing from most Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia set the holiday for Friday, 29 Hoot.