The Taliban’s Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue has dismissed over 280 members of its security forces in Afghanistan due to their inability to grow a beard, according to recent statements from officials. This decision is part of the Taliban’s strict enforcement of their interpretation of Islamic law, which mandates that men must have a beard of at least fist-length.
In addition to these dismissals, the ministry reported that it has detained more than 13,000 people over the past year for “immoral acts.” While the specifics of these alleged offenses were not disclosed, officials noted that about half of those detained were released within 24 hours.
The dismissals have sparked criticism from some of the affected individuals, who argue that their inability to grow a beard is beyond their control. One former Taliban security officer, who was recently dismissed, described the harassment he faced from his commanders over his lack of facial hair. “I cannot grow a beard, and they constantly called and harassed me,” he said. Despite joining the Taliban for financial reasons, he was ultimately told he could no longer remain in the unit because of his beard, or lack-of.
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