Taliban Issues No-Shave Order To Afghan Barbers

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have banned barbershops in a southern Afghanistan region from shaving or trimming beards. Claiming their edict is in line with Shariah, or Islamic law.

In Helmand province, the Taliban has banned barbershops from shaving or trimming beards. As claiming their edict is in line with Shariah, or Islamic, law. On Monday, the provincial Taliban government’s vice and virtue department issued the order. They issued it to barbers in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

Taliban and their policies

Since their previous rule of Afghanistan, the Taliban adhered to a harsh interpretation of Islam. Since overrunning Kabul on August 15 and again taking control of the country. The world has been watching to see whether they will re-create their strict governance of the late 1990s.

Some indication came on Saturday when Taliban fighters killed four alleged kidnappers. Later hung their bodies in the public squares of the western city of Herat.
“If anyone violates the rule (they) will be punished and no one has a right to complain,” said the order issued to the barbers. It wasn’t immediately clear what penalties the barbers could face if they don’t adhere to the no shaving or trimming rule.

During the Taliban’s previous rule, the conservative Islamists demanded that men grow beards. Since being ousted from power following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, many men have opted for no or cleanly trimmed beards.
Barbershop owner Jalaluddin, who like many Afghans goes by only one name.