Religious freedom conditions in Afghanistan continue to trend negatively amid the country’s ongoing political instability and civil war. Lack of security remains the primary challenge to protecting the freedom of religion or belief in the country. Ongoing attacks by extremist groups, most notably the Taliban and Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), not only threaten Afghanistan’s overall stability but also endanger Shi’a Muslims in particular.

Source: An Afghan Sikh woman mourns for her relatives near the site of an attack in Kabul, RUETERS / Ismail

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