Latest news with #Ismaili
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
HRCP slams discriminatory ban on Ismaili Butchers in Chitral, warns of threat to pluralism
Listen to article The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced serious concern over what it describes as sectarian discrimination in Chitral, following a decision by the local administration in Garam Chashma to prohibit Ismaili butchers from supplying meat in the area. In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the HRCP condemned the move as a violation of the constitutional principle of equal economic opportunity for all citizens, regardless of sectarian affiliation. The commission noted that the region has long been admired for its tradition of inter-communal harmony and warned that such one-sided measures risk inflaming sectarian tensions and inciting violence. "Undermining fundamental rights due to religious pressure sets a dangerous precedent," the HRCP said. "This threatens not only the livelihoods of a marginalised community but also the very fabric of pluralism in Pakistan." The rights watchdog called on the district administration to fulfill its constitutional duty to treat all citizens equally and to ensure that administrative decisions are based on law and fairness, not appeasement. Any failure to act impartially, the HRCP warned, could deepen existing divisions and further erode public confidence in the rule of law. The statement comes amid growing concern from civil society over increasing intolerance and discriminatory practices targeting religious and sectarian minorities in various parts of the country.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rights under constant attack in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
AI image Amid many other global crises, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been overshadowed in the international media. Millions of people continue to suffer from systemic rights violations under the Taliban-run government, a UN report has found. Tasked with assisting the people of Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) monitors the human rights situation in the country, issuing regular reports. In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, UNAMA not only documented cases of gender-based violence and public floggings but also the growing persecution of the Ismaili community. Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam, while Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan. Most members of the Ismaili community live in the country's northern provinces, such as Badakhshan or Baghlan. In the former, there have been at least 50 cases of members of the Ismaili community being forced to convert to the Sunni faith. Those who refused to do so were subjected to physical assaults, coercion and death threats. "They are only accepted as Muslims if they profess the Sunni faith by force," Yaqub Yasna, a professor and member of the Afghan Ismaili community, told DW. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Yasna himself was accused of blasphemy after the Taliban takeover of 2021 because he advocated enlightenment and tolerance in society. He was forced to step down from his position at his university and went into exile for fear of reprisals. Breeding ground for violence Yasna said that even before the Taliban's return to power, tolerance toward the Ismaili minority in Afghanistan was limited but that the political system had at least protected their civil rights. He said that under the Taliban, tolerance had continued to decline steadily. "When their rights are violated today, they don't know who they can turn to. Their children are forced to profess the Sunni faith," he explained. "Under Taliban rule, only one faith is considered legitimate. Anything that deviates from their interpretation of Islam is rejected and thus creates a breeding ground for violence against religious minorities. " Afghan human rights activist Abdullah Ahmadi confirmed there was increasing pressure on one of the last remaining religious minorities in Afghanistan. "We have received several reports showing that children from the Ismaili community are being forced to attend Sunni-run religious schools. If they refuse to do so, or do not attend classes regularly, their families have to pay heavy fines," he said. Ahmadi complained that the international community had responded only hesitantly to the human rights violations in his country. He called for targeted sanctions against Taliban officials, saying they "must be held accountable." Nowruz holiday declared 'un-Islamic' Historically, the country was a significant center of religious diversity, but there are very few members of non-Muslim communities left in Afghanistan today. The last members of the Jewish community left the country in September 2021. Those Christians who still live there tend to practice their faith in secret. And the Hazaras, another ethnic minority in Afghanistan who are predominantly Shiite, continue to be persecuted. The Taliban only accept one interpretation of religion and have banned certain rituals and festivals, including Nowruz, which marks the beginning of spring and a new year. They declared the holiday "un-Islamic" and said that nobody in Afghanistan should observe the celebration. Women's rights in decline The situation of all women is also getting worse, which means that half of society is subject to systematic oppression. According to the UNAMA report, girls continue to be "barred from participating in education beyond grade six" and there has been "no announcement made by the de facto authorities regarding the reopening of high schools and universities to girls and women." In the western city of Herat, the Taliban has confiscated several rickshaws and warned drivers not to transport women who were unaccompanied by a "mahram," a close male relative. Afghans deported from Iran Despite this disastrous situation, Afghans who fled to neighboring countries are being expelled en masse. According to the United Nations, around 110,000 people, including women and children, were forced to return in April. Large numbers of people are also being deported from Iran. "We live in fear of being deported to Afghanistan every day," Afghan journalist Marzia Rahimi told DW. "What am I supposed to do with my children there?" Rahimi said that only misery and terror awaited her in Afghanistan if she returned, explaining that she had left because she was unable to continue working as a journalist under Taliban rule and would not have been able to provide her daughter with an education. Most independent media outlets have been banned or placed under the control of the state. Journalists who criticize the regime risk being arrested and tortured. Under the Taliban, the country has also been plunged into an even more catastrophic socioeconomic crisis. Some 64% of the population of 41.5 million lives in poverty, according to the UN, with 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival and 14% suffering from acute hunger.
DW
18-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Rights under constant attack in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan – DW – 05/18/2025
A UN report has found that the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as all women, are under constant attack by the Taliban authorities. Amid many other global crises, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been overshadowed in the international media. Millions of people continue to suffer from systemic rights violations under the Taliban-run government, a UN report has found. Tasked with assisting the people of Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) monitors the human rights situation in the country, issuing regular reports. In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan , UNAMA not only documented cases of gender-based violence and public floggings, but also the growing persecution of the Ismaili community. Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam, while Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan. Most members of the Ismaili community live in the country's northern provinces, such as Badakhshan or Baghlan. In the former, there have been at least 50 cases of members of the Ismaili community being forced to convert to the Sunni faith. Those who refused to do so were subjected to physical assaults, coercion and death threats. "They are only accepted as Muslims if they profess the Sunni faith by force," Yaqub Yasna, a professor and member of the Afghan Ismaili community, told DW. Yasna himself was accused of blasphemy after the Taliban takeover of 2021 because he advocated enlightenment and tolerance in society. He was forced to step down from his position at his university and went into exile for fear of reprisals. 'Breeding ground for violence' Yasna said that even before the Taliban's return to power, tolerance toward the Ismaili minority in Afghanistan was limited but that the political system had at least protected their civil rights. He said that under the Taliban, tolerance had continued to decline steadily. "When their rights are violated today, they don't know who they can turn to. Their children are forced to profess the Sunni faith," he explained. "Under Taliban rule, only one faith is considered legitimate. Anything that deviates from their interpretation of Islam is rejected and thus creates a breeding ground for violence against religious minorities." Life for girls and women is becoming increasingly difficult in Afghanistan Image: OMER ABRAR/AFP Afghan human rights activist Abdullah Ahmadi confirmed there was increasing pressure on one of the last remaining religious minorities in Afghanistan. "We have received several reports showing that children from the Ismaili community are being forced to attend Sunni-run religious schools. If they refuse to do so, or do not attend classes regularly, their families have to pay heavy fines," he said. Ahmadi complained that the international community had responded only hesitantly to the human rights violations in his country. He called for targeted sanctions against Taliban officials, saying they "must be held accountable." Nowruz holiday declared 'un-Islamic' Historically, the country was a significant center of religious diversity, but there are very few members of non-Muslim communities left in Afghanistan today. The last members of the Jewish community left the country in September 2021. Those Christians who still live there tend to practice their faith in secret. And the Hazaras, another ethnic minority in Afghanistan who are predominantly Shiite, continue to be persecuted. The Taliban only accept one interpretation of religion and have banned certain rituals and festivals, including Nowruz, which marks the beginning of spring and a new year. They declared the holiday "un-Islamic" and said that nobody in Afghanistan should observe the celebration. Afghan girls are not allowed to attend secondary school Image: Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images Women's rights in decline The situation of all women is also getting worse, which means that half of society is subject to systematic oppression. According to the UNAMA report, girls continue to be "barred from participating in education beyond grade six" and there has been "no announcement made by the de facto authorities regarding the reopening of high schools and universities to girls and women." In the western city of Herat, the Taliban has confiscated several rickshaws and warned drivers not to transport women who were unaccompanied by a "mahram," a close male relative. Hopes for safety in Germany are fading for Afghan refugees To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Afghans deported from Pakistan, Iran Despite this disastrous situation, Afghans who fled to neighboring countries are being expelled en masse. According to the United Nations, around 110,000 people, including women and children, were forced to return from Pakistan in April. Large numbers of people are also being deported from Iran. "We live in fear of being deported to Afghanistan every day," Afghan journalist Marzia Rahimi told DW. "What am I supposed to do with my children there?" Rahimi said that only misery and terror awaited her in Afghanistan if she returned, explaining that she had left because she was unable to continue working as a journalist under Taliban rule and would not have been able to provide her daughter with an education. Most independent media outlets have been banned or placed under the control of the state. Journalists who criticize the regime risk being arrested and tortured. Under the Taliban, the country has also been plunged into an even more catastrophic socioeconomic crisis. Some 64% of the population of 41.5 million lives in poverty, according to the UN, with 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival and 14% suffering from acute hunger. This article was originally written in German.
DW
18-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Afghanistan's human rights continue to decline under Taliban – DW – 05/18/2025
A new UN report has found that the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as all women, are under constant attack by the Taliban authorities. Amid many other global crises, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been overshadowed in the international media. Yet millions of people continue to suffer from systemic rights violations under the Taliban-run government, as the latest UN report shows. Tasked with assisting the people of Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) monitors the human rights situation in the country, issuing regular reports. In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan , UNAMA not only documented cases of gender-based violence and public floggings, but also the growing persecution of the Ismaili community. Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam, while Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan. Most members of the Ismaili community live in the country's northern provinces, such as Badakhshan or Baghlan. In the former, there have been at least 50 cases of members of the Ismaili community being forced to convert to the Sunni faith. Those who refused to do so were subjected to physical assaults, coercion and death threats. "They are only accepted as Muslims if they profess the Sunni faith by force," Yaqub Yasna, a professor and member of the Afghan Ismaili community, told DW. Yasna himself was accused of blasphemy after the Taliban takeover of 2021 because he advocated enlightenment and tolerance in society. He was forced to step down from his position at his university and went into exile for fear of reprisals. 'Breeding ground for violence' Yasna said that even before the Taliban's return to power, tolerance toward the Ismaili minority in Afghanistan was limited but that the political system had at least protected their civil rights. He said that under the Taliban, tolerance had continued to decline steadily. "When their rights are violated today, they don't know who they can turn to. Their children are forced to profess the Sunni faith," he explained. "Under Taliban rule, only one faith is considered legitimate. Anything that deviates from their interpretation of Islam is rejected and thus creates a breeding ground for violence against religious minorities." Life for girls and women is becoming increasingly difficult in Afghanistan Image: OMER ABRAR/AFP Afghan human rights activist Abdullah Ahmadi confirmed there was increasing pressure on one of the last remaining religious minorities in Afghanistan. "We have received several reports showing that children from the Ismaili community are being forced to attend Sunni-run religious schools. If they refuse to do so, or do not attend classes regularly, their families have to pay heavy fines," he said. Ahmadi complained that the international community had responded only hesitantly to the human rights violations in his country. He called for targeted sanctions against Taliban officials, saying they "must be held accountable." Nowruz holiday declared 'un-Islamic' Historically, the country was a significant center of religious diversity, but there are very few members of non-Muslim communities left in Afghanistan today. The last members of the Jewish community left the country in September 2021. Those Christians who still live there tend to practice their faith in secret. And the Hazaras, another ethnic minority in Afghanistan who are predominantly Shiite, continue to be persecuted. The Taliban only accept one interpretation of religion and have banned certain rituals and festivals, including Nowruz, which marks the beginning of spring and a new year. They declared the holiday "un-Islamic" and said that nobody in Afghanistan should observe the celebration. Afghan girls are not allowed to attend secondary school Image: Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images Women's rights in decline The situation of all women is also getting worse, which means that half of society is subject to systematic oppression. According to the UNAMA report, girls continue to be "barred from participating in education beyond grade six" and there has been "no announcement made by the de facto authorities regarding the reopening of high schools and universities to girls and women." In the western city of Herat, the Taliban has confiscated several rickshaws and warned drivers not to transport women who were unaccompanied by a "mahram," a close male relative. Hopes for safety in Germany are fading for Afghan refugees To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Afghans deported from Pakistan, Iran Despite this disastrous situation, Afghans who fled to neighboring countries are being expelled en masse. According to the United Nations, around 110,000 people, including women and children, were forced to return from Pakistan in April. Large numbers of people are also being deported from Iran. "We live in fear of being deported to Afghanistan every day," Afghan journalist Marzia Rahimi told DW. "What am I supposed to do with my children there?" Rahimi said that only misery and terror awaited her in Afghanistan if she returned, explaining that she had left because she was unable to continue working as a journalist under Taliban rule and would not have been able to provide her daughter with an education. Most independent media outlets have been banned or placed under the control of the state. Journalists who criticize the regime risk being arrested and tortured. Under the Taliban, the country has also been plunged into an even more catastrophic socioeconomic crisis. Some 64% of the population of 41.5 million lives in poverty, according to the UN, with 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival and 14% suffering from acute hunger. This article was originally written in German.
Arab News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
The Druze experience … an opportunity for everyone to save Syria
Short Url I have been following the rapidly developing events in my beloved Syria over the past week with a heavy heart, especially concerned by the events unfolding in the south, where my family's roots stretch across no fewer than 10 villages and towns. In my academic journey, I have studied the dynamics of integration and divergence in the Druze community during the last half-century of the Ottoman era, from the northwestern edge of Syria near the borders of Alexandretta to Mount Carmel in historic Palestine and the Azraq Oasis in northern Jordan. This Druze community is more than 1,000 years old. It has survived the massive shifts that have unfolded in the region over this period: the succession of states, the rise of religious and sectarian groups and movements (some moderate, others extremist), several major wars, and various forms of colonization and occupation. Sensible decision-making is a pillar of this small, inward-looking community's resilience. The Druze have endured because of their realism, contentment, dedication to intracommunal solidarity and commitment to the truth and safeguarding of the brotherhood. Even the major powers that have nothing in common with the Druze (neither sectarian nor ethnic), whose doctrine grew out of Fatimid Ismaili Shiism, eventually understood that they had a vested interest in accommodating and respecting the community's priorities and concerns. Following the initial Ismaili schism that ended the sect's presence in Egypt, the Druze managed to find a place for themselves in the Levant. After the Sunni Ayyubid state replaced Fatimid rule in Egypt in 1250, it saw the utility of allying with the Druze for defending the Levant and Palestine from Crusader campaigns. Settling scores through collective retribution against innocent civilians is alien to Syria's culture and the spirit of Islam Eyad Abu Shakra This pragmatism, which transcended sectarian differences, was sustained. The small sect, whose members are known as 'Banu Maruf,' maintained its alliance with the non-Arab Sunni empires (the Mamluks and the Ottomans) that ruled the region in the centuries that followed. Indeed, they remained partners of the Ottomans until the First World War, after which the empire was replaced with foreign mandates and then independent states. The point here is that the Druze are not alien to the Arabs, Islam or the Levant. Even when they were offered a state of their own under the French Mandate, they chose to reject it, insisting on remaining an inseparable part of the larger Arab polity that includes all the regions in which Druze communities had a presence. These facts of geography and national and religious identity must be recognized by anyone who seeks to safeguard Syria's territorial integrity, unity and future. Otherwise, they will be swept away into the abyss of treason, excommunication and bloodshed. Watching the protest in Homs a few days ago, in which ignorant and unhinged mobs chanted that they 'want to exterminate the Alawites … to exterminate the Druze' was painful. It hurt because genocide is a criminal act that has no place in an ancient homeland striving to get back on its feet and build bridges, rather than raising walls of separation. Settling scores through collective retribution against innocent civilians is alien to Syria's culture and the spirit of Islam, which teaches us that 'no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden.' This is not the Homs of Hashim Al-Atassi and other great national statesmen. Nor is it the Homs of Diq Al-Jinn, Nasib Arida, Nadra Haddad, Abd Al-Masih Haddad, Maurice Salibi, Abd Al-Basit Al-Sufi, Abd Al-Basit Al-Sarout … Steve Jobs (who was from the Jandali family) or his cousin Malek Jandali. No, this is not the Homs we love. It is not the town that we have been following keenly and whose suffering and pain, at the hands of the criminal thugs in Deir Baalbah, Al-Waer, Al-Khalidiyyeh and Baba Amr, left tears in our eyes. On the other hand, we continue to hear things that might calm the nerves of those eager to consolidate the new regime: 'No areas are off-limits to state legitimacy' and 'no special or exceptional cases.' In principle, there is no reason to disagree. However, consolidating the new regime means prioritizing firm foundations and a broad consensus, especially given the ambiguous posture of several international powers and Israel's ongoing security and military blackmail. Accordingly, there is no harm in giving open wounds time to heal, allowing minds and hearts to recover, trust to be built and state-building to accelerate. No one has an interest in ignoring fears or in risking the exploitation of these fears by foreign forces to serve their own agendas Eyad Abu Shakra The truth is, no one (first and foremost the state) has an interest in ignoring fears or in risking the exploitation of these fears by foreign forces to serve their own agendas. Political experience has taught us that relying on and seeking foreign support is often a losing, and potentially suicidal, bet for minorities. Conversely, pushing minorities into such gambles has always drawn foreign intervention and occupation. For those who are unfamiliar with the 'Eastern Question' — European efforts to 'protect' minorities in the Levant, the Balkans and North Africa — the repercussions of these historical episodes continue to influence our world to this day. Just as France made inroads in the Levant in the 19th century through sectarian and religious massacres between Christians and Druze in Mount Lebanon and between Sunnis and Christians in Damascus, France's colonial intervention in Algeria came under the pretext of protecting the Jews (specifically the Bakri and Bougna/Bushnaq families). Accordingly, we must come to terms, across the region, with the frailty of our position, both domestically and internationally. For international actors, we Arabs are the weakest players in the region. Regrettably, our states are the easiest to violate. Protecting the Druze does not keep the Israeli leadership up at night and the current Syrian regime has not been acquitted by Washington, nor has it received an open-ended mandate from the international community to do as it pleases in Syria. Accordingly, a little wisdom can prevent immense bloodshed … and give Syria a far, far greater chance of survival. Eyad Abu Shakra is managing editor of Asharq Al-Awsat, where this article was originally published. X: @eyad1949 Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view
