The Taliban prohibits Afghan barbers from shaving beards

Pic courtesy of Reuters

KABUL, Sept 28: The Taliban has prohibited barbers in Afghanistan’s Helmand province from shaving or trimming their customers’ beards.

It contradicts Islamic law, according to the Taliban’s view.

Anyone who violates the legislation will be punished, according to the organisation.A handful of barbers in Kabul’s capital reported they had received identical instructions.

The edict indicates that the country is returning to the draconian rules imposed by the group while it was in power, despite pledges of more liberal government, according to the BBC.

Since gaining control last month, the Taliban has enforced harsh punishments on anybody who oppose its authority.

On Saturday, its members killed four people suspected of being kidnappers, and their remains were found strewn throughout the streets of Herat province.

In a sign placed in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand, Taliban officials reminded barbers that they must follow Sharia law when it comes to haircuts and beards.According to the notification, “no one has the right to file a complaint,” the BBC reported.

“Officers frequently arrived and told us to cease cutting our beards,” said a Kabul barber.”One of them said they may send inspectors dressed as consumers to arrest us.”

Another barber, who owns one of the city’s largest salons, said he received a call from someone pretending to be a government official.

They told him to “stop the American manner” and not shave or trim anyone’s beard.

Other barbers, who did not want to be identified for fear of jeopardising their careers, claimed the new rule was making their lives more difficult.

According to one barber, “fashion salons and barbers are rapidly becoming illegal businesses.”

“It’s been my work for the last 15 years, and I don’t think I’ll be able to keep it up,” he said.