Shia Islam in Afghanistan

Due to its majority Shia population, the Dashte Barchi district in western Kabul was frequently attacked by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province.

[8] On 6 September 2022, the Human Rights Watch reported that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, the ISIS–K has claimed responsibility for 13 attacks against Hazaras and has been linked to at least 3 more, killing and injuring at least 700 people.

They are found primarily in and near the eastern Hazarajat, in the Baghlan area north of the Hindu Kush, among the mountain Tajik of Badakhshan, and amongst the Wakhi in the Wakhan Corridor.

The pir or leader of Afghan Ismaili comes from the Sayyid family of Kayan, located in Kayayan valley, 30km west of Doshi, a small town at the northern foot of the Salang Pass, in western Baghlan Province.

[15][16] The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) initiated its efforts in Afghanistan in 1996, providing food aid amidst the civil war.

[17] AKDN's strategy in Afghanistan includes strengthening Afghan institutions and the public sector by engaging communities and local leaders.

AKDN aims for comprehensive area development that is led by Afghan institutions, fostering partnerships among the government, the business sector, and civil society to facilitate the country's transition towards stability and prosperity.

The network actively addresses social barriers, promotes equitable decision-making, and empowers women and girls by enhancing their voice and agency.