Strict dress code enactment by Taliban: New "morality decree" mandates extensive facial hair and full face coverings for adherence to behavioral guidelines.
The Taliban's leadership in Afghanistan has tightened its grip by introducing a "moral conduct" regulation, intensifying the existing rules enforced by their morality police. Announced by the Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and confirmed by the Ministry of Justice on a Wednesday, this law requires women to wear veils and outlaws homosexuality. The details of this law were published in the official gazette at the end of July.
This law empowers the morality police, who have been administering behavioral guidelines based on Islamic Sharia law since the Taliban's reinstatement in 2021. Now, "Muslim women must conceal their faces and bodies" in the presence of unrelated men. Men have to wear pants that reach their knees and maintain beards of a predefined length. Homosexual activity, extra-marital affairs, gambling, and any media content that portrays living beings are all forbidden.
Missing prayers and disregard towards parents are considered offenses as well. The media is restricted from disseminating material that contravenes Sharia law, insults Muslims, or exhibits living beings. The morality police may impose penalties like warnings, threats, fines, up to 3-day detentions, and other sanctions for violations. Repeated offenses may result in legal proceedings.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has previously criticized the morality police for fostering a climate of anxiety in Afghanistan. After decades of Western military involvement, the Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021 and declared an "Islamic Emirate." Since then, they enforce their stringent view of Islam using oppressive legislation and limiting women's rights. The Taliban remain internationally isolated, with no country recognizing them as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
In adherence to the new regulations, men are expected to maintain beardedness of a specific length, aligning with the Taliban's moral conduct rules. The strict enforcement of these guidelines has led to a heightened sense of control, with the Taliban's morality police closely monitoring adherence to Islamic Sharia law.
