Taliban Arrest Shia Clerics in Herat Over Opposition to Mandatory Eid Declaration.
Local sources in Herat have reported that the Taliban arrested several Shia clerics for refusing to sign a commitment requiring them to align with the group in announcing Eid.
Among those detained are Khodadad Ehsani, representative of Ayatollah Mohaqiq Kabuli and Friday prayer leader of Al-Mahdi Mosque in Jebrail, and Haji Ehsani, head of the Southwest Schools Supervisory Council and director of Sadiqiya Seminary.
According to sources, a meeting was held on March 17, 2026, at the Taliban’s Department of Hajj and Religious Affairs in Herat, where Shia clerics were asked to coordinate Eid announcements with the group. The طالبان presented a document stating that whenever they declare Eid, Shia clerics must do the same.
The clerics responded that, according to Islamic jurisprudence, determining the start of fasting and Eid depends solely on the verified sighting of the moon and falls under the authority of Shia religious authorities.
They emphasized that signing such a commitment was not possible. Sources state that one cleric was detained immediately after the meeting, while others were arrested the following day, although the exact number remains unclear.
