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| Afghanistan |
| Afghans Mark Shiite Holiday of Ashura Under Tight Security |
| 2020-09-01 |
| [ToloNews] Gatherings held for the religious holiday of Ashura took place in various parts of the country including Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat ...a venerable old Persian-speaking city in western Afghanistan, populated mostly by Tadjiks, which is why it's not as blood-soaked as areas controlled by Pashtuns... on Sunday under tight security, and so far no security incidents related to the holy day were reported. President Ghani and his deputies, as well as a number of high-ranking officials, attended a ceremony of Ashura mourners at a mosque in the west of Kabul. Thousands of security force members were deployed in Kabul and other cities to ensure the safety of the Ashura ceremonies in over 10,000 mosques in the country, 400 of them in Kabul alone. At least 3,000 security force members were deployed in Herat to protect Ashura ceremonies, according to local officials. Those who attended the ceremony in Herat said they hope a ceasefire is announced so that people observe such events in peace. Herat officials said some groups sought to disrupt the Ashura ceremony in the province, but were prevented. "No stranger can think about disturbing or removing you," Herat governor Sayed Wahid Qatali said at a gathering of Ashura mourners. "Stand with power and we will succeed. All here are Heratis and Afghans together." "No incidents occurred as we took good security measures--except we had some thefts," Herat Police Chief Obaidullah Nawrozi said. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |