Iran has summoned the acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy following an incident in which an Afghan official remained seated during the playing of Iran’s national anthem at a conference on Islamic unity in Tehran.
This event parallels a recent occurrence in Pakistan, where Afghan officials faced criticism for not standing during the Pakistani national anthem.
The Iranian foreign ministry issued a “strong protest” against the Afghan representative’s actions, calling them “unconventional and unacceptable.” The ministry emphasized the importance of respecting national symbols and labeled the incident a breach of diplomatic protocol.
In response, the Afghan delegate apologized, explaining that the Taliban’s ban on public music led to his decision to remain seated, as it is their custom.
This incident in Tehran followed closely after Pakistan summoned Afghanistan’s charge d’affaires regarding similar behavior exhibited by the Afghan acting consul general and another official during an event in Peshawar.
Pakistani officials reported that the Afghan representatives did not stand for their national anthem due to cultural prohibitions against music, asserting that no disrespect was intended. The Foreign Office in Pakistan condemned their actions as inconsistent with diplomatic norms and stressed the need for guests to honor the symbols of their host country.
Both Iran and Pakistan have conveyed their grievances, issuing strong protests to the Afghan authorities in Kabul and Islamabad.
