In Afghanistan, the ruling Islamist Taliban have again imposed strict regulations and have now asked fashion stores in the west of the country to behead mannequins. Asisul Rahman, a provincial representative of the newly created Ministry for the Preservation of Virtue, told the German Press Agency on Tuesday that these are idols and are therefore un-Islamic. “They have to be eliminated,” Rahman explained. Initially, however, it should be sufficient that the mannequins are beheaded.
The head of the competent chamber of commerce in Herat province, Abdul Wadud Faissada, complained about the new instruction. The shopkeepers would have spent a lot of money on the mannequins. The economy in Afghanistan is in free fall and millions of people in the country are starving. The models are also not idols, but are set up to display clothing. “You can find it in shops in all Islamic countries,” said Faissada. Meanwhile, videos were circulating on social media showing the heads of mannequins being sawed off.
In the past few weeks, the Taliban had already issued ever stricter regulations for public life. Most recently, for example, drivers were instructed not to play music in the vehicle. In addition, women should not be allowed to travel more than 45 miles (about 72 kilometers) without a male companion. Most secondary schools for girls are still closed. In many cases women can no longer go back to their jobs. Many have fled the country since the Islamists came to power in August 2021. (dpa)