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Religious scholars call for unity as tensions ease in Herat following protest
Herat police said no incidents of violence were recorded during the protest and stated that some images circulating online were misleading or digitally altered.
Religious scholars, community elders, and youth representatives gathered in Afghanistan’s western Herat province to express support for the Islamic government and emphasize the importance of national unity, security, and social harmony.
Participants at the gathering stressed that recent incidents should not become a source of division or tension among the public, underscoring the need to preserve peace and public order.
The meeting followed a recent protest by a group of young people in Herat’s 13th district against newly enforced restrictions related to Islamic dress regulations. Security forces later intervened and dispersed the demonstration.
Several attendees said public gatherings and protests could disrupt stability, arguing that security institutions have a responsibility to maintain order and prevent unrest.
Religious scholars speaking at the event warned that actions perceived as challenging public order could negatively affect security and social stability. They encouraged young people to communicate concerns through elders and community leaders to facilitate dialogue with authorities.
At the same time, some participants called for a more measured approach toward youth concerns, urging officials and community elders to listen to grievances and address them through constructive engagement. They cautioned that harsh responses could heighten social sensitivities and advocated for greater reliance on guidance and counseling in the implementation of Islamic dress regulations.
Following the protest, numerous videos circulated on social media. However, some sources claimed that several of the widely shared clips had been manipulated using artificial intelligence technologies.
Herat police said no incidents of violence were recorded during the protest and stated that some images circulating online were misleading or digitally altered.
Security officials confirmed that the situation in Herat remains calm, adding that security forces continue to maintain a presence in the area to prevent further disturbances.
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has reported that Iran’s judiciary has executed Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, a 23-year-old Afghan citizen, for his alleged involvement in anti-government protests that took place in January.
According to the group, Mohammadi was executed on Sunday alongside another prisoner, Erfan Esfandiari.
Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency said the two men had been convicted of participating in deadly attacks against security forces during the protests in Isfahan last year.
Hengaw has criticized the judicial process, alleging that the defendants were denied access to independent legal counsel during their trial.
International Sports
Spain sweep FIFA World Cup player awards after historic triumph
France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.
Newly crowned FIFA World Cup champions Spain capped off a remarkable tournament by collecting four of the competition’s five major individual awards following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
Spain midfielder Rodri was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after leading his side to a second World Cup title. The experienced midfielder produced a series of commanding performances throughout the tournament, controlling matches with his vision, passing and leadership.
France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after an outstanding tournament in which Spain conceded just one goal. His consistent performances and crucial saves played a key role in his country’s title-winning campaign.
Nineteen-year-old Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player after emerging as one of the stars of the tournament. The young centre-back impressed with his composure and maturity, helping Spain record one of the best defensive records in the competition.
Spain’s dominance in the individual honours reflected the team’s outstanding performances throughout the month-long tournament, with four of the five major awards going to members of the world champions.
2026 FIFA World Cup major award winners
- Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 10 goals
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has met with Dirk Joseph Thyssen, Deputy CEO of the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF), and his accompanying delegation.
In a statement, Da Afghanistan Bank said the meeting focused on expanding support for small credit guarantees, grant assistance, and technical cooperation with financial institutions in Afghanistan.
According to the bank, Khalid reaffirmed DAB’s commitment to strengthening the country’s financial and banking sector, saying the central bank is working to create a transparent, standardized and enabling environment to improve access to micro, small and medium-sized financing.
He also urged the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation to provide its financial services fairly and without discrimination across all regions of the country and to all relevant institutions.
For his part, Dirk Joseph Thyssen presented an overview of ACGF’s activities, achievements and future plans, and called for expanded technical cooperation with banks and financial institutions, implementation of joint programs, and the signing of cooperation agreements between the two sides.
The Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation is an international development organization that supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through credit guarantee schemes for banks and financial institutions, technical assistance and capacity-building programs.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to expand financial inclusion, support the private sector and further strengthen Afghanistan’s financial and banking sector.
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