Afghanistan's powerless Hazara community still facing persecution

In spite of its promises, the Taliban has taken no steps to create an inclusive government in which all ethnic groups and political parties play a role

Students outside the girls' school in Dashte Barchi in West Kabul that was attacked by ISIS in May last year. A total of 85 girls from the local Hazara Shia neighbourhood died. Picture: Hannah McCarthy

“Every year when Ashura comes, I hope that people don’t get killed but then explosions and mass killings happen again,” says Arizo Rahimi, an Afghan journalist now living in Dublin. 

For Shi'ite Muslims, Ashura is one of the most important days on their religious calendar. It is when they commemorate the death of the Prophet Mohamad’s grandson, Hussein, in the 7th century with processions and self-flagellation.