Two individuals who claimed to be religious scholars and were engaged in witchcraft were arrested in Takhar Province

Two residents of Baharak District in Takhar Province, named Mullah Sharafuddin and Abdul Khalil, who had introduced themselves in Kalfagan District of the province as mullahs and religious scholars and were engaged in superstitious and deceptive activities targeting local residents, were identified and arrested by officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing of Complaints of IEA.

The arrested individuals, described as sorcerers, had allegedly exploited the name and status of religious scholars to write amulets and perform acts contrary to Islamic Sharia.

They reportedly received large sums of money in return and encouraged residents of the province to engage in superstitious and religiously impermissible practices.

Following complaints from local residents, officials of the ministry arrested them along with objects and books related to sorcery.

Given the importance of preventing the misuse of religious sanctities and the deception of people through claims contrary to Islamic principles, the alleged sorcerers, after being identified and arrested, were handed over, along with their case files, to the judicial and legal authorities of Takhar Province so that they could be dealt with in accordance with Sharia principles and applicable regulations.

Officials (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing of Complaints in Takhar Province emphasized that presenting individuals as religious scholars and exploiting people's religious beliefs to carry out superstitious and deceptive activities is incompatible with Islamic Sharia and religious values.

They further stated that such cases will be addressed within the framework of the law and Islamic Sharia.