Taliban Enforce Early Eid al-Fitr Prayers in Multiple Provinces

The Taliban declared Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, one day earlier than most Islamic countries, and forced residents in several provinces to perform prayers despite many intending to fast and celebrate on Friday in line with Saudi Arabia.

In Neeli, the center of Daykundi province, Taliban members took men gathered for a local resident's funeral, forced them to drink water to break their fast, and compelled them to perform Eid prayer, according to local residents.

Local sources in Takhar province reported that the Taliban forced people to perform Eid prayer there. Residents emphasized they would celebrate Eid on Friday following Saudi Arabia.

In Feyzabad, the center of Badakhshan province, Taliban members forced people to perform Eid prayer in mosques specified by the group, residents said. Other residents complained that the Taliban's restrictions on designated mosques resulted in insufficient capacity, preventing some from praying.

In Herat province, Taliban members were present in Shia mosques on Thursday morning and asked mullahs to inform worshippers to attend Eid prayer. Prayers were held with small numbers of worshippers in mosques in the Jibril and Haji Abbas neighborhoods of Herat city. A similar request was made at the Saadieh mosque, but no Eid prayer took place there.