Afghanistan celebrates its first Eid al-Fitr since the Taliban took power

Afghanistan celebrates its first Eid al Fitr since the Taliban took

Afghanistan celebrates Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, the most important celebration of the Muslim calendar with Eid al-Adha, Sunday May 1. A symbol for the Taliban who took power eight months ago after 20 years of war against the former Afghan government, supported by the international coalition. The war is over in the country, but on Saturday evening, when the date of Eid was announced, the guns were heard in Kabul.

With our correspondent in Kabul, Sonia Ghezali

As soon as the date of Eid announced by the Taliban leaders, Saturday evening, shots began to tear through the night in Kabul. An outraged netizen wrote on Twitter: There are gunshots everywhere. My children are terrified, they are crying. »

The Kabul police spokesman took to social media around 11:30 p.m. local time to condemn the gunfire, but they continued, albeit more sporadically, well into the night.

Afghanistan will therefore not celebrate Eid al-Fitr like Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim countries on Monday. The Islamic Emirate, as it is nicknamed, shows above all its religious and political authority, which has still not had the recognition of the international community.

A major crisis

Eight months after taking power, the Taliban are still seeking this recognition. International sanctions on the country have dealt a major blow to Afghanistan’s economy. The humanitarian crisis there is one of the worst in the world.

The country is not done with violence either. Kabul was without electricity on Saturday April 30 after electricity pylons were targeted by bombs in Parwan province. Attacks are increasing against the Taliban security forces and against the Shiite Hazara minority.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack on a minibus in western Kabul, killing at least five people, according to local media. On Friday April 29, at least ten people were killed in an explosion that hit a mosque in Kabul after the prayer.

Also to listen: From ex-soldiers to pariahs, the upset fate of Afghan army soldiers

rf-5-general