Taliban Promotion of Virtue Agents Intensify Oversight of Men's Beard Trimming

Male barbers report that Taliban Promotion of Virtue agents have intensified supervision over beard trimming and shortening. Some barbers have been detained for shortening customers' beards excessively.

AFP reported the detention of a 30-year-old man named Salman in Ghazni province for shortening a customer's beard and providing a "Western" haircut style. Salman stated he was first held in a cold salon and then transferred to a cold container. He added, "No one can argue with the agents or ask them questions. Everyone is afraid of them."

Another man named Salman from Kabul reported heightened Taliban oversight on the issue. He emphasized, "Beard and hair are personal matters and people should be able to cut them however they want."

A third barber noted that Promotion of Virtue patrols "visit every day and check."

Afghanistan International has previously reported on beatings of barbers for shaving men's beards. In Helmand province, Taliban authorities previously warned that individuals shaving their beards would face "Sharia punishment."

Taliban authorities consider long beards mandatory for men and stress that people must maintain an "appearance in accordance with Sharia."

The Taliban's Ministry of Higher Education has stated that university professors lacking Taliban-style beards and attire will be denied academic promotions.