Afghanistan shuts Christian Aid offices

Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamic rulers sealed the offices of two Christian humanitarian aid organisations today.

The action came less than a month after closing a German-based group and arresting its foreign and Afghan staff on charges of trying to entice Muslims to Christianity, officials said.

After more than 35 years in Afghanistan, the offices of the International Assistance Mission was taken over by armed members of the Taliban’s powerful Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

’’No one is left here. We are not allowed to let any foreigners in here. We are from the Taliban’s security,’’ said one guard outside the IAM office.

The Taliban also closed SERVE, an international Christian aid organisation which provides solar panels as well as other shelter-related projects.

No arrests were made and it is believed the foreign aid workers from the two organisations had left the country.