Afghanistan: Difference between revisions

'''Afghanistan''', officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked nation in [[South Asia]], spanning approximately 652,230 km², bordered by [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]], and [[China]].<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/afghanistan/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2025-05-01 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> With a population of about 43 million, its official languages are [[Pashto]] and [[Dari]], and its economy relies on agriculture and opium production. The [[Catholic Church]], introduced in the 20th century, is virtually non-existent, with fewer than 200 Catholics (less than 0.001% of the population), maintaining no formal presence due to extreme persecution.<ref name="GCatholic">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Afghanistan |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/AF.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-04-15 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref><ref name="Wikipedia">{{Cite web |title=Christianity in Afghanistan |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Afghanistan |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> In a strictly Islamic society under Taliban rule since 2021, the Church faces severe challenges from anti-Christian violence, blasphemy laws, and apostasy prohibitions, with no public Catholic activity permitted.<ref name="USCIRF">{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan 2025 USCIRF Annual Report |url=https://www.uscirf.gov/reports/afghanistan-2025 |publisher=U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom |date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref><ref name="VaticanNews1">{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan’s Christians face extinction |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-03/afghanistan-christians-persecution.html |publisher=Vatican News |date=2025-03-15 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>

Afghanistan’s history includes ancient Persian and Buddhist civilizations, Islamic conquests (7th century), Mongol invasions, British influence (19th century), Soviet occupation (1979–1989), and Taliban rule (1996–2001, 2021–present).<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/afghan-political-geography/afghanistan |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |date=2025-03-01 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> Catholicism arrived in the 20th century through Italian missionaries, with a small chapel established in Kabul in 1933. The Church’s presence collapsed after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, with Christians fleeing or converting under threat.<ref name="Wikipedia"/><ref name="CatholicNewsAgency">{{Cite web |title=Christianity vanishes in Afghanistan |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/afghanistan-christianity-vanishes |publisher=Catholic News Agency |date=2025-03-20 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> Key Catholic milestones are absent due to extreme restrictions.

Afghanistan’s population of approximately 43 million is 37% Pashtun, 25% Tajik, 10% Hazara, 9% Uzbek, and 19% other.<ref name="CIA"/> Nearly 99.7% are Muslim (85% Sunni, 15% Shia), with fewer than 200 Catholics (0.001%), ranking fourth behind Muslims, Hindus (0.01%), and Sikhs (0.01%).<ref name="GCatholic"/><ref name="Wikipedia"/> Catholics, mostly former expatriates, are underground, with no public presence.<ref name="USCIRF"/>

The [[Catholic Church in Afghanistan]] has no formal structure, with no dioceses, parishes, or resident clergy, previously under the [[Mission sui iuris of Afghanistan]] (dissolved post-2021).<ref name="GCatholic"/> A single chapel in the Italian Embassy in Kabul, closed since 2021, was the last Catholic site. The Church operates no institutions due to Taliban prohibitions.<ref name="CatholicNewsAgency"/>

Significant Catholic events are minimal, including the establishment of the Kabul chapel (1933), the creation of the [[Mission sui iuris of Afghanistan]] (2002), and its dissolution post-2021.<ref name="Wikipedia"/> The Taliban’s 2021 takeover ended all Catholic activity, with reports of forced conversions and killings.<ref name="VaticanNews1"/> In August 2024, the Taliban publicly flogged a man for blasphemy, highlighting ongoing religious repression.<ref name="USCIRF">https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/Afghanistan%202025%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report.pdf</ref>

The [[Catholic Church]] in Afghanistan is virtually non-existent, with fewer than 200 Catholics (0.001%) in a nearly 100% Muslim society.<ref name="Wikipedia"/> The state is Islamic under Taliban rule, with Sharia law enforcing apostasy and blasphemy penalties, including death, banning all non-Muslim activity.<ref name="StateReligion">{{Cite web |title=2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/afghanistan/ |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=2021-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>[](https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/10-most-dangerous-places-Christian/)

The Church operates no schools or charities, as non-Muslim organizations are banned. Pre-2021 Catholic aid through Caritas ceased after the Taliban takeover.<ref name="CatholicNewsAgency"/>

The Catholic Church faces extreme challenges under Taliban rule, with Christianity nearly eradicated since 2021.<ref name="VaticanNews1"/> Blasphemy and apostasy laws carry death sentences, enforced through public floggings and executions, as seen in a 2024 blasphemy case.<ref name="USCIRF">https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/Afghanistan%202025%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report.pdf</ref> Anti-Christian violence, including targeted killings and forced conversions, has eliminated public worship, with underground believers at risk of death.<ref name="CatholicNewsAgency">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/persecution-worldwide-spikes-as-some-countries-go-from-bad-to-worse</ref> The Taliban’s ban on non-Muslim activity and ISIS-K attacks on religious minorities further suppress Catholicism.<ref name="StateReligion">https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/Afghanistan%202025%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report.pdf</ref> No formal Church response is possible due to the lack of infrastructure.

The Catholic Church has no social or political influence in Afghanistan, as non-Muslim groups are outlawed.<ref name="StateReligion"/> Pre-2021 humanitarian efforts by Catholic organizations have ceased, with no platform for advocacy or interfaith dialogue under Taliban control.<ref name="CatholicNewsAgency"/>

* https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/AF.htm