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10th of Muharram observed peacefully in Afghanistan
The 10th day of Muharram was observed peacefully and calmly across Afghanistan.
Thousands of citizens gathered in Hussainiyas, mosques, and religious centers on Sunday to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in the Battle of Karbala.
Several prominent Shia scholars in the country emphasized that Afghanistan enjoys unparalleled religious unity and that Ashura belongs to all Muslims, serving as a symbol of solidarity and connection among them.
Mohammad Akbari, a leading Shia figure, stated: “Imam Hussain was martyred in the path of God and sacrificed his life to preserve Islam. There are strong and credible sources supporting the mourning of Imam Hussain and weeping for the Master of Martyrs.”
Asadullah Sa’adati, another Shia figure, said: “Imam Hussain’s exemplary resistance in Karbala aimed to achieve the values and goals he believed in—religious, moral, and humanitarian values.”
Meanwhile, officials of the Islamic Emirate also described Ashura as a symbol of unity and mutual acceptance among Muslims, stating that those who incite sectarian division in the name of religion among the Afghan people lack conscience.
Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting Head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, said: “Anyone who discriminates among Afghans has no conscience and no sincerity toward this country. We have seen who divided us in the past—it was for their own benefit.”
Not only in Kabul, but also in many provinces across the country, mourning ceremonies were held, with citizens emphasizing unity, solidarity, and national cohesion.
Religious scholar Sayed Haidar Hashemi stated: “A small number of our Hindu compatriots live in Afghanistan and may still be here, but the vast majority of this nation is Muslim. Over 99% proudly follow the former Imams, especially the great Imam Abu Hanifa (may God be pleased with him).”
Former President Hamid Karzai also issued a statement, urging the people of Afghanistan to use the spiritual significance and blessings of Ashura and the days of Muharram as a source of unity and collective effort toward building a progressive, prosperous Afghanistan enriched with knowledge and education.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
Japan announces MEXT scholarships for Afghan students for 2027 academic year
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