The Northern Alliance administration now in control of Kabul today lifted all religious restrictions imposed by the hardline Taliban in Afghanistan, saying the "dark years" are over.
Religious affairs minister Ataullha symbolically chose a 532-year-old Hindu temple in Kabul on a Friday, the Muslim holy day, to make the announcement.
"The dark years have gone. We are ready to give all rights to every religion," he said, blaming past atrocities on the Taliban and the Pakistani government that supported it.
Hindus and Sikhs, who account for about 500 families in all of Afghanistan, were forced by the Taliban to wear distinctive yellow markings to set them apart from Muslims.
The men were required to wear yellow turbans, were not allowed to display any sign of their religion outside official temples, and Hindu traders were ordered to close their shops during the daily Muslim prayers.
Breaches of the Taliban order were punished with beatings.
"You suffered much under the Taliban, but they were bad people, they were not good Muslims," Mr Ataullha said.
"You don't have to wear yellow anymore. It is as before, we want to have contact with you. We are ready to help you. As you had rights before, you can again have anything regarding your religion. You are free," he said.
His speech, to about 100 people in the temple, was frequently interrupted by chants from the Hindus invoking the names of their religious leaders.
His audience included many women venturing outside for the first time in five years wearing their traditional saris.
AFP