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Afghan Shiites call on IEA to recognize their community, protect their rights
Afghan Shiites have called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to recognize their community and to ensure their rights are protected.
In a meeting with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Political Deputy Prime Minister of the IEA, a number of Shiite scholars urged the IEA to protect their rights – including political, social, cultural, and freedom of speech – within the framework of an inclusive government.
Hussain Jafari, Head of the Shiite Ulema Council of Afghanistan, called on the IEA to implement the Shia Personal Status Law, also known as the Shia Family Law, which was approved in 2009 by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai.
“Afghanistan is a country with ethnic and religious diversity, and the beliefs of all religions must be respected,” Jafari said.
He added: “All ethnic groups and followers of all religions must be present in the government and centers of power, and the government must represent the will of all people.”
The IEA, meanwhile, stated that talks about the Shiite community will be held once negotiations begin over the formation of the new governing rules of Afghanistan.
Bilal Karimi, IEA’s Deputy Spokesman, said: “Once laws are enacted, talks will begin in this regard [Shiite rights] and a decision will be made. It is too early to talk about these issues.”
An Afghan man has pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child in the United Kingdom. Najeebullah Arab appeared before a court in Oxford on May 8 and admitted to the offence, which took place in Grove in May 2024.
The 40-year-old had initially denied the charge and was expected to stand trial later this year. Court records stated that he made inappropriate comments to the child, including remarks about her appearance and requests to spend time alone with her.
Earlier this year, Arab also pleaded guilty to several other offences. These included one count of sexual assault linked to an incident in Grove on January 21.
He additionally admitted to charges of sexual assault, rape and kidnapping involving another woman on January 27. The court previously heard that he dragged a woman from an alleyway into a field during the incident.
Following the earlier hearings in March, a small group of protesters gathered outside the court building carrying flags and banners. Police officials praised the victims for coming forward and said the case reflected the strength of the evidence collected by investigators.
Arab is due to be sentenced for all offences on June 19. The court has ordered a pre-sentence report to assess whether he poses a danger to the public, while the judge ruled that he remain in custody until sentencing.
Ministry of Information and Culture of Afghanistan says the National Archives digitized hundreds of historical documents, manuscripts and books during the 1404 solar year as part of efforts to preserve the country’s cultural and historical heritage.
According to the ministry, the National Archives digitized 741 books, 232 manuscripts, 358 decrees and one genealogy document over the past year.
The ministry also said that 830 books, 60 manuscripts and four decrees were restored and rebound during the same period.
In addition, 32 new manuscripts were handed over to the National Archives, further enriching the country’s collection of historical records.
Afghan officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of preserving historical documents and manuscripts, many of which date back several centuries and reflect the country’s rich cultural legacy.
Two people have been killed amid protests against a poppy eradication campaign in northeastern Badakhshan province, local officials said.
Authorities said counter-narcotics forces were deployed on Friday to Atan Jalo area of Argo district to destroy poppy fields. Clashes erupted after a number of farmers and residents reportedly attempted to block the operation.
Officials said a child was killed during Friday’s unrest, while another person died on Saturday as protests and tensions continued in the area.
According to local authorities, demonstrators also temporarily blocked the Kishm–Faizabad highway, disrupting traffic for several hours before it was reopened following coordinated efforts by security officials, religious scholars, and community elders.
Officials blamed “drug traffickers and criminal groups” for inciting the unrest and said security forces have since regained control of the area.
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