From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Mon Feb 13 2006 - 10:08:56 EST
YOUTHS BLAMED FOR SECTARIAN RIOTS IN WESTERN AFGHANISTAN...
The deadly violence between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims in the western city of Herat on 9 February that left at least four people dead was not religiously or politically motivated, Afghan Minster of Energy and Water Mohammad Ismail Khan said on 12 February, Pajhwak Afghan News reported. Ismail Khan, the former strongman and governor of Herat Province, was sent by President Hamid Karzai to investigate the causes of clashes in the city (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 10 February 2006). Ismail Khan blamed a number of Shi'ite youths for sparking the incident by insulting Omar bin al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam, who is revered by Sunnis and disliked by the Shi'a. Ismail Khan added that the committee will investigate the riots to reach a final conclusion on the causes of the incident. AT
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