“Western-style” hairstyles are also punishable, and all are enforced in accordance with the Taliban’s Law on Promoting Virtues and Preventing Vice. Although shaving the beard has been banned before, it has not carried a prison sentence until now, writes the Telegraph.
Despite this, the Taliban have detained barbers before, closing their shops for several days. Residents testify to the atmosphere of fear. “They label us as agents of the former government if we trim our beards or wear what they call a Western hairstyle. The Taliban interrogate and beat people just because of their appearance,” said Esmatullah, a resident of Balkh province.
He also cited the example of a student from his town who was beaten by Taliban members because his hair was shaved on the sides and long on top. “They cut off his long hair with scissors to humiliate him and warn that anyone who violates Afghan culture will be punished,” he added.
New threats have hit barbers hard who fear for their own existence and life. A barber from Balkh said that many clients now ask him to come to their house, but that too is extremely dangerous.
“And it’s risky,” he said. “If they find me trimming someone’s beard, the Taliban will kill me.”
The consequences are already visible in business.
“Young people are no longer coming to the shop, and if this continues, I will have to close it. My income has dropped by 70 percent this month. I have sick parents at home and I can’t pay back my debts,” he complained.
That there are not only empty threats is also confirmed by a recent case from Parwan province, where Taliban moral guards detained eight barbers last week for shaving or styling their beards. Their stores were sealed, and the families were told they would be detained for a month.
(Vijesti.ba)
