In 2 months, 26 magicians arrested, prosecuted in Ghazni

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): More than two dozen alleged magicians, who deceived the masses for years, have been arrested in southern Ghazni province during the past two months, officials said on Sunday.

Ghazni Vice and Virtue Department head Maulvi Mohammad Aalim Nasih told Pajhwok Afghan News officials of his department and security forces had arrested 10 magicians in Ghazni city and 16 more in Jaghori, Nawar and Malistan districts.

All the arrested individuals have been referred to judicial authorities and they have been convicted of their crimes, he said.

According to Nasih, some of those arrested were released due to lack of evidence and on promise not to play magic again.

He said the Vice and Virtue department was committed to fighting activities that were harmful to the society such as corruption, forgery and fraudulent activities.

He said they will arrest all those involved in magic and amulet writing.

He requested the people to refrain from activities that were considered against the values of Islam.

Some Ghazni residents said they were happy over the actions being taken by the Vice and Virtue department.

One of them, Noorullah said some people believed in superstitious things and visited amulet-writers or magicians to solve their problems.

He said: "Some people pose as mullahs, Aghas or others and they act secretly and write amulets, the government must prevent such people”.

A religious scholar, Mirza Mohammad, told Pajhwok magicians and illusionists had no place in Islam as they created problems among the people.

He said the ministries of hajj and Vice and Virtue were responsible to prevent such practices.

aw/ma