The Taliban is banning all barbershops in southern Afghanistan from shaving or trimming men's beards. Provincial Taliban government officials argued that such an act goes against the edict outlined under Islamic law.
The ban applied to all barbershops in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Afghanistan's Helmand province. The order was given by the Taliban government's vice and virtue department.
The order has been criticized by international observers and local residents. One resident said that the people living in the city have their own way of living and they should be left alone to do whatever they want.
The Taliban reportedly told barbers that anyone caught violating the new rule will be severely punished. The group did not say what the punishment would be for those that shaved or trimmed people's beards.
Barbershop owners called on the Taliban to reconsider the new rule. One owner asked the Taliban to give the Afghan people the freedom to live their lives, including how they wear their hair or beards.
"Now we have few clients coming to us, they are scared, they don't want to trim their hair or beards, so I request them let people free, so we have our business and people can freely come to us," one owner said.
The implementation of the new rule is the latest move by the Taliban, which practices a strict interpretation of Islamic law. When the Taliban previously ruled over the country, they imposed strict Shariah law that included the barring of women from going to school and work.
Public amputations and executions for criminals were also commonplace under the previous Taliban rule. The Taliban also required all men to grow out their beards. After the Taliban were ousted by the U.S., shaved or cleanly trimmed beards became a popular look among the public.
The Taliban, which retook the country last month after the U.S. withdrew its forces, have promised to be more lenient and tolerant, particularly when it comes to women's rights. However, the group has recently imposed some rules indicating its intention of returning to its previous status quo.
Last week, the Taliban said that it was considering the re-imposition of public executions and amputations. Over the weekend, Taliban fighters had killed four alleged kidnappers. The bodies of the kidnappers were hung in a public square in the western city of Herat.
