Afghanistan and Religious Freedom
The world was shocked by the sudden collapse of the Afghan Government on 15 August. The Taliban now controls most of Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul. In a recent statement, ACN expressed concern for the future of religious freedom in Afghanistan.
By ACN Staff
The Executive President of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
In the wake of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the Executive President of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, released a statement on the bleak outlook for religious freedom for Christians in the new “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” declared by the Taliban. Afghanistan is an overwhelming Muslim country. According to the latest data, about 99.86% of the population are Muslims. Around 90% are Sunni Muslims and 10% Shia Muslims. Of the 0.14% non-Muslims, they are almost an equal number of Hindus, Ba’hais, Buddhists and Christians. There are around 200 registered Catholics in the country. These are official figures; it is possible that the real numbers of Christians and Catholics in Afghanistan is higher.
Dr. Heine-Geldren stated that given the previous experience of Taliban rule between 1996-2001 in Afghanistan there is legitimate reason to fear that freedom of religion will not be respected in an Afghanistan ruled by the Taliban today. The modest advances in religious freedom that were made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years are likely to undone with the new Taliban government.
The Executive President of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Dr. Heine-Geldern stated the following:
“ACN predicted the deterioration of the situation in its recent Religious Freedom Report, published in April 2021. Throughout the 22-year history of this report, Afghanistan has always been among the countries that most violates this fundamental right. Especially in the last three years, the report highlights the repeated and egregious attacks against places of worship, religious leaders, and worshippers.
Our analysis, unfortunately, does not leave much room for hope. All those who do not espouse the extreme Islamist views of the Taliban are at risk, even moderate Sunni. The Shia (10%), the small Christian community, and all other religious minorities, already under threat, will suffer even greater oppression. This is a huge setback for all human rights and especially for religious freedom in the country.”
Dr. Heine-Geldern lamented the moves by certain governments to show sympathies for the new Taliban Emirate. Dr. Heine-Geldern explained the reasons for his concern at these moves:
“This will not only legitimise the Taliban, but also embolden authoritarian regimes all over the world, particularly in the region, spurring increasing violations of religious freedoms in their own countries. International recognition of the Taliban will also act as a magnet for smaller radical Islamic groups, creating a new constellation of religious terrorist factions that could supplant historic formations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Among others, areas of concern include Pakistan, Palestine, and the province of Idlib in Syria. The situation for Christians and other religious minority communities already suffering oppression, will further deteriorate.”
ACN’s Religious Freedom Map. Countries in red (including Afghanistan) have significant violations of religious freedom. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Dr. Heine-Geldren understands the difficult position that many western countries are facing in relation to Afghanistan, but insists that freedom of religion must continued to be advocated for:
“Countless thorny diplomatic questions remains. The unexpected and voluntary flight from power by President Ashraf Ghani creates ethical and moral difficulties for the West, as those countries participating in talks with the Taliban expressed weeks ago that they would never recognise a regime that has taken power by force. Will be there a response from the Taliban on any human rights claims without formal channels? The fact that most Western embassies are closing, and international observers are leaving, like they did in Syria in 2011, is not a good omen.
Aid to the Church in Need encourages the international community to raise a voice in protection of human rights for all citizens of Afghanistan, especially considering that we estimate that religious freedom will be particularly under threat. We also call our benefactors and friends to continue to pray during this profoundly troubling time in the history of Afghanistan.”
Whatever happens in Afghanistan in the coming weeks and months will be of vital important to the small minority of Afghan Christians. Please keep Afghanistan in your prayers.