Taliban police disperse a Shiite demonstration in Kabul against the demolition of a seminary

In Kabul, police dispersed a demonstration of Shiite Muslims who protested against the order to demolish their largest scientific and religious center and theological seminary, Khatam an-Nabiyin.

During the protests, security authorities began detaining Shia clerics.

Last week, the Taliban took control of Khatam al-Nabiyin University, appointing its rector and four vice-rectors there.

MOSCOW, September 6 - RIA Novosti. Police dispersed a demonstration of Shiite Muslims in Kabul, who took to the streets after the Ministry of Justice ordered the demolition of their largest scientific and religious center and theological seminary “Khatam al-Nabiin” on Dar ul-Aman Avenue near the Russian Embassy, ​​Afghan media reported.

“Protests broke out in western Kabul over the Taliban’s order to clear the Khatam an-Nabiyin seminary. On Saturday evening, a crowd of Shiite Muslims gathered outside the seminary in the Dar ul-Aman district of Kabul to protest against the order of the Taliban Justice Ministry to clear the building of the religious center,” reports the TOLOnews Plus Telegram channel.

At the same time, the news portal Afghanistan International reports that during the outbreak of protests, security authorities began to detain Shiite clerics. According to the portal, “late Saturday evening, Taliban forces surrounded the seminary and demanded that the leadership and students leave the building.”

“According to sources, special forces units of the Taliban Ministry of Justice, equipped with military equipment, were deployed around the religious center, while some of the students still remain inside. Sources claim that the force actions are carried out on the orders of the Minister of Justice of Afghanistan Abdul Hakim Sharai,” the portal said.

It added that videos quickly spreading on social media showed military vehicles with white Taliban flags entering the seminary grounds.

The Afghan authorities, who previously declared Sunni Islam of the Hanafi madhhab as the only legal religion throughout the country, have not yet commented on what happened.

According to Afghanistan International, citing a reliable source in Kabul, last week the Taliban also took control of Khatam al-Nabiyin University, appointing its rector and four vice-rectors there.

Theological seminary "Khatam al-Nabiin" is one of the largest centers of Shiite religious education in Kabul. It was founded in 2007 by Shia cleric and prominent political figure Mohammad Asif Mohseni.

Until now, the seminary has been engaged not only in religious teaching, but also in academic, research and cultural activities. Many Afghan Shiite theologians studied and taught there.

Mohseni was a prominent figure among Afghan Shiites and one of the founders of the Islamic Movement of Afghanistan party. He also had experience in political and military activities. After his death, his children took over the management of the seminary.