Taliban Detains Three Prominent Shia Leaders Tied to Khatam al-Nabieen Seminary Dispute

On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Taliban authorities detained three prominent Shia figures connected to the Khatam al-Nabieen seminary dispute: Sayed Mohammad Hossein 'Sufi' Gardizi, who headed the complex's public relations office; Sayed Hassan Sharifi Balkhabi; and Mohammad Hossein Sangardoost. Five additional staff from the public relations office — including a cook and two guards — were also detained. The office, which represented Hazara and Shia elders and operated out of a property in Kabul's Sarkariz area linked to former political leader Mohammad Mohaqiq, was closed. The Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan (Hezb-e-Wahdat) said the detentions came as roughly 50-60 Shia scholars had planned a meeting to discuss the fate of those already held at the seminary and seek their release. The Taliban government has not publicly commented on the detentions.