Afghanistan: Five Daily Prayers in Congregation Made Mandatory for Government Employees.

Kabul – The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has issued directives making it mandatory for government employees to offer all five daily prayers in congregation at mosques.
Details of the Directive
According to reports, under the directive of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, employees of government departments are bound to offer congregational prayers at designated times.
Employees who skip congregation without a valid religious excuse may face disciplinary action.
Possible Penalties
Reports indicate that in cases of repeated violations, the following penalties may be imposed:
· Salary deduction
· Demotion
· Suspension
· Termination from service
Confirmation in 2026
In 2026, some government institutions have also confirmed communicating this directive regarding congregational prayers to their employees.
Reports from Herat
Earlier, reports from Herat also emerged in which local sources stated that in some areas, mosque attendance lists were prepared and fines were imposed for absence from congregational prayers.
However, these specific fines have not been officially confirmed by Taliban authorities.
Disclaimer: This post is based on reports from Afghan authorities, local sources, and media organizations. Specific enforcement measures may vary by location and are presented with appropriate attribution.