Afghanistan: Taliban ban barbers from shaving and trimming beards in Helmand province

Kabul: An edict by Taliban rulers in Helmand province ordering men to stop shaving and trimming beards has hit the business of barbers across the southern Afghanistan province. However, the Taliban leadership in Kabul says this is not their "official position".

The edict in Helmand was issued on Monday by the Taliban’s “vice and virtue department”, and is the latest in a series of restrictions placed on Afghans based on the Sharia interpretation of Islam by the Taliban. A similar edict was issued in Kapisa and Takhar provinces too.

The edict comes days after the Islamist group shot dead four 'kidnappers' on Saturday before hanging their bodies from cranes and taking it through the streets of Herat province.

"If anyone violates the rule (they) will be punished and no one has a right to complain," said the new edict, issued by the provincial Taliban government's vice and virtue department to barbers in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand.

It was not clear what penalties the barbers could face if they breached the order.

During their previous rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, the Taliban demanded men grow beards.

However, there appeared to be some discrepancy between the Taliban governing in Kabul and the Taliban governing the various provinces.

Officials at the Ministry of Culture and Information in Kabul said “this is not the Taliban’s official position”.

The reaction from Kabul comes as a letter was distributed in Kapisa, Helmand and Takhar provinces where the shaving and trimming of beards was banned as well as on the use of smartphones by women.

Inaamullah Samangani, a member of the Cultural Commission in the Ministry of Culture and Information, termed the statement invalid.

“The Ministry of Virtue and Vice officially announced that the statement has not been issued by the ministry; whatever is on social media is not from the ministry,” he said, Tolo News quoted him as saying.

Residents of Kapisa province said the Taliban’s provincial department of virtue and vice ordered that the shaving or trimming of beards is prohibited, calling it great sin.

“They told us to not shave or trim stylistically. Someone who violates this will face legal punishment," said Alem, a hairdresser.

Sadullah Salehi, a local reporter, said: “Residents welcomed some restrictions, like those on expenses of wedding ceremonies and firing in the air, which are included in the statement.”

Municipal workers in Takhar province also received the same order.

Some leaders said imposing restrictions will not benefit the Taliban. “Such actions harm the Islamic emirate. This makes the world nervous and international recognition will remain impossible,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, the head of the National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan.

Previously some restrictions were imposed on women’s education and work, and the Taliban has not allowed Afghan girls to resume secondary school. (UNI)