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Ever since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) seized power on August 15, 2021, their Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has been enforcing strict shari'a, preventing women from travelling alone or going to schools and colleges, or running businesses such as beauty parlors. Its inspectors also forbid barbers from shaving customers' beards and prevent men from playing music or watching movies, among other restrictions.
The Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is headed by Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, who in several statements during August 2024 rejected Western officials' requests to the Taliban to relax restrictions on men and women in order for the Taliban government to be recognized by the United Nations and the wider international community. No government has formally recognized the Taliban.
Afghan Taliban's Vice and Virtue Minister Mohammad Khalid Hanafi
Hanafi's ministry is driven by the shari'a principle requiring men and women to promote virtue and prevent vice in society, forcibly if necessary. According to a Dari-language report by Tolo News, the minister told a meeting in Mazar-e-Sharif that there will be no compromise in the enforcement of shari'a. Hanafi declared that shari'a and the hijab are the red lines for the Taliban.
On August 21, the ministry also issued a statement in Pashtu, saying that Hanafi traveled to Samangan province and informed officials there that the United States does not adhere to any laws, not even its own, in pursuit of its objectives, and engages in any action necessary to achieve them. The U.S. and its allies used all possible means to prevent the Afghan mujahideen from continuing their jihad, he said, adding that the Taliban however achieved victory. The translations of the Dari-language report of Tolo News and the Pashtu-language statement issued by the ministry are given below.
Following are translated excerpts from the Dari-language Tolo News report:
"Allah Forbid, If Someone Says That You Should Not Promote Virtue And Prevent Vice And Abandon The Issue Of Hijab, We Will Interact With You And Recognize You [i.e., The Taliban Government], Then What Was The Purpose Of The 20 Years Of Sacrifice We Made?"
"Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has said in a meeting in Mazar-e-Sharif that there will be no interaction with anyone [in the West] regarding the enforcement of Islamic law.
"Mr. Hanafi, at this meeting, which was attended by the inspectors of Virtue and Vice Ministry, local officials, Islamic religious scholars, and tribal elders in Mazar-e-Sharif, also said that shari'a and the hijab are red lines for the Islamic Emirate system. He also asked the inspectors of this ministry to implement the law ratified by the Islamic Emirate's leader [Mullah Hibbatullah Akhundzada] .
"Mohammad Khalid Hanafi added: 'Implementing shari'a and the hijab is our red line. In these matters, we cannot interact with anyone. Allah forbid, if someone says that you should not promote virtue and prevent vice and abandon the issue of hijab, we will interact with you and recognize you [i.e., the Taliban government], then what was the purpose of the 20 years of sacrifice we made?'
"Noorul Hadi Abu Idris, Deputy Governor of Balkh province, said at this meeting: 'It is the duty of people to promote virtue and prevent vice, and we have to stop those who do evil and commit acts contrary to shari'a.'
"Mr. Hanafi, in another part of his speech, added that international human rights institutions interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, especially regarding the imposition of restrictions on women; however, they have ignored the war in Gaza and the killing of women and children in Palestine.
"The Acting Minister... said: 'Today, every Muslim, even those who are so-called Muslims, understands the oppressor of the Palestinian people. The Jews today do not see children or women and bombard them.' The Acting Minister... spoke of the implementation of the hijab and shari'a, while recently the law of this ministry was ratified by the leader of the Islamic Emirate and published in the Official Gazette."
Following is the text of the statement, as translated from Pashtu:
"The Islamic Government Is A Government For The Entire Society And That It Has Its Arms Open To All Afghan Citizens – With The Arrival Of The Islamic Emirate, The Era Of Oppression, And Tribal And Linguistic Discrimination, Has Come To End"
"Sheikh Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, on an official visit, went to Samangan province and there met with the local officials, Islamic religious scholars, those who deliver sermons, tribal elders, and village lawyers [representatives] of the province to improve the implementation of the orders, directives, and instructions of Emir al-Momineen [Mullah Hibbatullah Akhundzada], May Allah protect him, and to increase public awareness.
"The Acting Minister... said in his speech: America does not adhere to any laws, not even its own, to achieve its objectives, and engages in any type of actions. He added that America and its supporters used all possible means to prevent Afghan mujahideen from jihad, but after 20 years of struggle and sacrificing their lives, the Afghans achieved the fruits of jihad and established an Islamic system.
A copy of the Pashtu statement was shared on X
"Mr. Hanafi emphasized that the Islamic government is a government for the whole society and that it has its arms open to all Afghan citizens. With the arrival of the Islamic Emirate, the era of oppression, and tribal and linguistic discrimination, has come to end. He said: Tribes and languages are for getting to know each other, no Afghan citizen is superior to another, regardless of language or tribe, all Afghans are brothers.
"He added that all officials and religious scholars are obligated to implement the orders, directives, and instructions issued by the leadership in civilian and military institutions and society. He said: All scholars have the duty to participate in the reform of society and the system through the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice.
"At the same time, local officials said: The propagation of virtue and prevention of vice is the backbone of the Islamic system and provides spiritual and moral strength to society. They also assured that they are committed to implementing the orders, directives, and instructions issued by the leadership of the Islamic Emirate and are making every effort in this regard.
"It should not be forgotten that Mr. Minister also met separately with the inspectors of the ministry's provincial center and districts of the mentioned province, providing them with necessary guidance and recommendations for improving the management of affairs and ensuring coordination."
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