Taliban Posts Posters Saying "Wear Hijab According to Islamic Law"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] The Taliban, the ruling power in Afghanistan, has posted posters across the capital Kabul demanding that women wear hijabs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign and local media on the 8th, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, a dedicated agency for establishing Islamic order, recently took such measures in cafes and shops in Kabul.

The poster featured an image of a woman covering her face with a burqa, along with the text, "According to Sharia (Islamic law), Muslim women must wear a hijab." The burqa is an Islamic garment that covers the entire body including the face, with only a mesh screen over the eyes.

Generally, a hijab refers to a scarf that covers a Muslim woman's head and neck, but sometimes it is used interchangeably with or as an umbrella term including burqas and niqabs (Islamic garments covering the entire body except the eyes).

The Taliban did not specify the exact meaning of the hijab mentioned in this poster. However, women who accept this are reportedly feeling considerable fear.

Earlier this month, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice also issued orders in the western Herat region to remove the heads of mannequins in clothing stores.

At that time, entertainment such as music and TV was banned, and public executions were allowed, including cutting off thieves' hands or stoning women who committed adultery to death. Women faced restrictions on going out, employment, and education.

Since the Taliban regained power in August last year, they promised to expand women's rights and showed a somewhat different stance compared to the past, but the atmosphere remains restrictive, such as not including any women in the cabinet.

In some areas, middle and high school female students still cannot receive normal education.

In late last month, restrictions on women's outings and travel were introduced, stating that "women traveling more than 72 km without accompanying close male relatives should not be given a ride."

Earlier, in late November, broadcasting guidelines were released banning women from appearing in TV dramas and prohibiting the airing of foreign dramas.