Iran has condemned Afghanistan following an incident at the 38th International Islamic Unity Conference where an Afghan delegate remained seated during the playing of Iran’s national anthem, defying diplomatic norms.
The event, which took place from September 19 to 21, aims to promote unity among Islamic sects but was overshadowed by the Afghan delegate’s perceived disrespect.
This follows a similar controversy earlier in the week when Afghan officials did not stand during Pakistan’s national anthem at a government event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both Pakistan and Iran have expressed their discontent with Afghan authorities over these incidents.
Iranian Foreign Minister criticized Afghan delegate Azizorahman Mansour’s actions as “unconventional and unacceptable,” accusing him of showing disrespect to Iran’s national anthem. Mansour responded by referencing Afghanistan’s Taliban government’s ban on public music, saying, “In our country when we sing songs, we sit.”
Afghanistan’s consulate also defended its officials after the incident in Pakistan, stating that “because the anthem had music, the consul general and an official did not stand.” Iran emphasized that respecting national anthems is a globally accepted practice.