4 Kabul universities closed after violence

KABUL) Four major state-run universities were closed for the next 10 days in the wake of violent clashes that left one student dead and dozens wounded, officials said on Sunday.

The decision to suspend classes at Kabul University, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul Medical University and Martyr Prof. Rabbani Education University was made by the Ministry of Higher Education on Saturday.

Kabul University Chancellor Habibullah Habib told Pajhwok Afghan News they had asked students to commemorate Yaum-i-Ashur peacefully. Unfortunately, violence erupted during the commemoration of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, he said.

One Kabul University student was killed and 28 others injured in violent clashes triggered by an attempt by Shiite students to flagellate themselves at the main mosque on the campus, said the Kabul police chief, Mohammad Zahir.

The clashes broke out as Sunni students tried to stop their Shiite counterparts from self-flagellation inside the mosque, Zahir added. 

In consultation with the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Ministry of Higher Education suspended classes to control the situation and repair damaged parts of the university hostel, said MoI spokesman, Ghulam Siddique Siddiqui.

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