Afghan Taliban detain 12 instructors at Kabul religious seminary
By The South Asia Times
KABUL - Taliban authorities have detained 12 instructors at the Khatam al-Nabieen religious seminary in Kabul, according to local broadcaster Tamadon TV, amid an escalating dispute over the ownership of the facility.
Tamadon TV reported Saturday that the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice deployed additional personnel to the seminary, some reportedly armed and others carrying sticks and clubs. Electricity to the compound was also cut, the broadcaster said. Taliban authorities have not publicly commented on the reported detentions.
The ministry says the seminary was built on government-owned land, while seminary officials reject the claim and say they have legal documents proving their rights to the property. Kabul residents reportedly gathered outside the facility Saturday evening to protest an order to evacuate it.
The reported crackdown comes amid broader international criticism of the Taliban’s restrictions on education and academic institutions.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have barred girls and women from secondary schools and universities, while imposing restrictions that have severely limited women’s participation in higher education and public life.
The Taliban have also introduced restrictions affecting universities, including changes to curricula and the exclusion of women and girls from campuses. Several university faculties and academic programs have faced closures or restrictions, further narrowing access to higher education.
Tamadon TV, which was shut down by the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice in July, accused the authorities of using pressure and force against religious and educational institutions rather than resolving disputes through dialogue. The broadcaster said it would publish documents and correspondence related to its negotiations with the ministry and resume activities through digital platforms.
The latest confrontation adds to concerns over the shrinking space for independent media, religious institutions and education in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, as authorities continue to enforce policies that have particularly affected women and girls.
