Taliban Forces Surround Kabul's Khatam al-Nabieen Shia Seminary, Order Evacuation, Detain 12 Instructors

On Saturday, September 5, 2026, Taliban forces surrounded the Khatam al-Nabieen religious seminary and educational complex on Dar-ul-Aman Road in Kabul — one of Afghanistan's largest Shia religious institutions, encompassing a university and the Tamadon TV station — and ordered its evacuation. Personnel from the Taliban's Ministry of Justice, acting on the authority of justice minister Abdul Hakim Sharaei, detained 12 instructors and used force against students and teachers, with several reportedly beaten; military personnel and equipment were deployed around the complex. Residents gathered outside the gates chanting 'Allahu Akbar' in protest after seminary officials called for demonstrations. The Taliban's Ministry of Justice claims the complex was built on government-owned land; seminary officials dispute this, saying they hold legal ownership documents and that the dispute remains before a Taliban court. Tamadon TV director Mohammad Jawad Mohseni called the raid 'politically and religiously' motivated. The Taliban government has not publicly commented.