Lyla Lindsey
Afghanistan is a country with a population of around 36 million people, 80% of whom are Sunni Muslims. The state religion is Islam, and the constitution protects the religious freedom of religious minorities, allowing them to “exercise their faith and perform their religious rites within the limits of the law. However, in practice, Afghanistan's religious minorities face persecution, discrimination, and violence. This is particularly true for the Shi'a Muslims, who are targeted by both the Taliban and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP). Other religious minorities, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Baha'is, also face significant challenges and risks in Afghanistan. They often experience interference in their religious practices, discrimination, and even threats of violence. The situation has become more dangerous for these groups since the Taliban regained control of the country in 2021, with conditions for religious freedom described as having drastically deteriorated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 35.7 million (2019 estimate) |
| Religious Demographic | 80% Sunni Muslim, 10-19% Shi'a Muslims, 0.3% Hindus, Sikhs, Bahá'ís, Christians, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians |
| State Religion | Islam – the Hanafi Sunni School of thought |
| Religious Freedom | The constitution protects the religious freedom of religious minorities, but blasphemy and apostasy laws significantly undermine religious freedom for people of other faiths and none. |
| Religious Minorities | Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and other non-Muslim minority groups |
| Religious Persecution | Religious minorities are persecuted by both extremist militants and the state. |
| Religious Extremism | The Taliban and Islamic State have both targeted Sufis, practitioners of mystical Islam. |
What You'll Learn
The constitution establishes Islam as the state religion
The constitution of Afghanistan establishes Islam as the state religion. The country is an Islamic Republic, with the sacred religion of Islam as its religion. The constitution also states that no law shall contravene the tenets and provisions of Islam.
While followers of other religions are "free to exercise their faith and perform their religious rites within the bounds of the law", there are several restrictions on the freedom of religion for non-Muslims. For instance, the constitution limits the political rights of non-Muslims, and only Muslims are allowed to become the President.
Conversion from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy, which is punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property. Blasphemy, which includes anti-Islamic writings or speech, is also a capital crime.
The penal code includes punishments for verbal and physical assaults on a follower of any religion, as well as for insults or distortions directed towards Islam. The penal code also specifies punishments for those who forcibly stop the conduct of rituals of any religion or destroy places of worship.
In practice, non-Muslim groups such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and others face discrimination and persecution, and are forced to leave the country. They often face interference in following their religious rituals, such as cremation.
The Taliban, which imposed its interpretation of Islamic law during its rule, has further restricted the freedom of religion in Afghanistan. The group has targeted and killed individuals because of their beliefs or links to the government, and religious leaders have been threatened with death for preaching messages contrary to the Taliban's interpretation of Islam.
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Religious minorities face persecution
Religious minorities in Afghanistan face persecution and discrimination from both extremist militants and the state. The constitution of Afghanistan declares Islam as the official state religion, and the country's laws do not recognize confessions other than Islamic ones. The Afghan government automatically considers all citizens to be Muslims and subjects them to Islamic jurisprudence.
The Shi'a Hazara community, an ethnic group that is predominantly Shi'a Muslim, has faced severe persecution under the Taliban. They are considered infidels by both the Taliban and IS, and have been the target of multiple deadly attacks. In 2020, a large gathering of Shi'a Hazaras was targeted in the Mazari Square area while they were commemorating their religious leader. Hazaras have also faced repression in the form of forced expulsions from their areas, harassment, and mass killings.
Other religious minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Baha'is also face discrimination and violence. They constitute less than 0.3% of the population and are often forced to leave the country due to persecution. They are subjected to verbal harassment, interference in their religious rituals, and illegal appropriation of their properties. In March 2021, a Sikh temple was attacked, resulting in the deaths of over 25 worshippers, including a 4-year-old child.
Christians in Afghanistan are forced to conceal their faith in public to avoid severe punishment and discrimination. They are pressured by society and their families to remain secret, and those who convert risk being disowned by their families and receiving death threats. Baha'is also live in constant fear of exposure and have been labeled as "infidels" since 2007 when a fatwa was issued against them.
The Taliban's harsh enforcement of their hardline version of Islam has led to a rapid decline in the already small Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan. The militants deny the existence of a Christian community, forcing them to worship in hiding.
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Blasphemy and apostasy laws
Afghanistan's blasphemy and apostasy laws are based on Sharia law, which deems blasphemy a capital crime. The country's penal code addresses "Crimes Against Religions" but leaves the punishment for blasphemy to Sharia. Sharia permits authorities to punish blasphemy with death if the perpetrator is a male of sound mind over 18, or a female of sound mind over 16.
The Afghan government's media law prohibits writings and published materials that are considered offensive to Islam or other faiths. However, the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes offensive and un-Islamic material offers the potential for restrictions on press freedom and intimidation of journalists.
Blasphemy, which can include anti-Islamic writings or speech, is punishable by death according to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic thought, which is backed by the Taliban. Those accused of blasphemy are given three days to recant or face death, although there is no clear process for recanting under Sharia law.
Apostasy, or the act of converting from Islam to another religion, is also punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property, according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Those found guilty of apostasy are given three days to recant their conversion or face punishment.
The harsh enforcement of these laws has resulted in the persecution of religious minorities, academics, journalists, and other individuals who hold views contrary to the interpretations of Islam promoted by the Taliban and other extremist groups.
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The Taliban's interpretation of Islam
The Taliban's version of Islamic law differs from Sharia in other predominantly Muslim countries, including other mostly Sunni countries. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia, or "the way" in Arabic, is considered strict and extreme. It is used to justify cruel and violent punishments, including public executions, stoning, floggings, and amputations.
Under the Taliban's rule, women are effectively put under house arrest. They are banned from working or receiving an education and are not allowed to leave their homes without a male chaperone. They are also forced to wear a burqa and cover their faces. Women who disobey the rules are flogged, beaten, or executed.
The Taliban also bans music and musical instruments, with the exception of the daf, a type of frame drum. They have also cut off the hands of thieves and stoned adulterers.
The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia also impacts men. Men can be punished for having several telephone conversations with women, and men accused of robbery can be publicly executed.
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The impact of the Taliban's rule on women
The Taliban's rule has had a devastating impact on Afghan women and girls, with the group enforcing restrictions on their access to education, employment, healthcare, and other economic resources, as well as severely limiting their mobility.
Education
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have banned girls from attending secondary school and university, with only boys being allowed to resume schooling. This has affected hundreds of thousands of girls and young women, with many expressing feelings of hopelessness and loss. The Taliban have also altered the curriculum to focus more on religious studies, removing subjects such as physical education and art.
Employment
The Taliban have banned women from working in most sectors, with only those in primary education or healthcare still able to work. This has resulted in thousands of women losing their jobs and their income, with many becoming entirely dependent on male relatives. The Taliban have also ordered women working in the Ministry of Finance to send a male family member to replace them, regardless of the man's qualifications.
Healthcare
The Taliban's restrictions on women's mobility and their enforcement of a strict dress code have made it difficult for women to access healthcare. Women are not allowed to be treated by male doctors unless accompanied by a male chaperone, and female healthcare workers have reported safety issues and harassment by the Taliban. Maternal healthcare conditions have declined, and infant and child mortality rates have increased.
Freedom of Movement
The Taliban have imposed strict rules on how women can travel, barring them from travelling more than 45 miles (70km) without a close male relative. They have also banned women from entering amusement parks, public baths, gyms, and sports clubs.
Other Restrictions
The Taliban have also imposed restrictions on women's dress, banning them from wearing high-heeled shoes and makeup, and prohibiting them from laughing loudly in public. They have also banned women from appearing on TV and radio and taking part in sports.
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Frequently asked questions
The Afghan constitution establishes Islam as the state religion but stipulates that followers of other religions may exercise their faith within the limits of the law. However, religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan have been trending negatively due to political instability, civil war, and attacks by extremist groups.
The lack of security is the primary challenge, with extremist groups such as the Taliban and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) targeting religious minorities and endangering Shias in particular. Additionally, there is a lack of protection for religious minorities by the government, and they often face discrimination and persecution.
The Taliban's harsh enforcement of their hardline interpretation of Islam has drastically deteriorated religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan. They have imposed harsh restrictions on all Afghans, including religious minorities, women, and the LGBTQ community. The Taliban has also been responsible for the deaths of dozens of Hazaras, an ethnic minority following Shiite Islam.
Yes, the U.S. embassy officials have been working with the Afghan government to promote understanding and acceptance of religious freedom, as well as the protection of religious minorities. They have also been engaging with various religious groups to enhance religious tolerance and interreligious dialogue.
Religious minorities in Afghanistan, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and others, constitute less than 0.3% of the population. They often face discrimination, persecution, and security threats, leading to many fleeing the country. The indigenous Hindu and Sikh communities are on the verge of disappearing due to these factors.
