Taliban detains men for wrong hairstyles and missing prayers

In Afghanistan, the Taliban's enforcement of its morality laws has been particularly aggressive during the holy month of Ramadan, which began in March 2025. The Taliban's Vice and Virtue Ministry, operational since August 2024, has authorized a force of more than 3,300 morality police to monitor and detain individuals for a range of perceived offenses against the prescribed conduct. A report by the United Nations noted that a significant number of these detentions target men who possess non-compliant hairstyles or fail to attend mandated congregational prayers. The laws issued by the Taliban have dramatically impacted every aspect of daily life in Afghanistan, causing significant societal fears and economic consequences. Particularly affected have been barbers and tailors who have seen their businesses curtailed as a result of these regulations. The Vice and Virtue Ministry has mandated various appearance standards for men, including specific beard lengths and acceptable hairstyles. Additionally, these regulations extend to men being required to attend daily prayers at mosques, with severe consequences for non-compliance. Women in Afghanistan face even harsher restrictions, exacerbated by a cultural environment increasingly predisposed to policing female conduct. The new regulations include a mandate that women cannot leave their homes without a male guardian and must conceal their faces and bodies in public. Women's voices must also remain silent when in public spaces, leading to enforcement by both the Taliban and community members. These measures further restrict women’s right to access health care, education, and professional opportunities, compounding existing socioeconomic hardship across the country. The U.N. report indicates that these draconian laws are having a systemic effect on the Afghan economy, potentially costing the country more than $1.4 billion annually due to the exclusion of women from the workforce and education, leading to increased poverty. Unauthorized detentions, arbitrary enforcement of the morality law, and intensified scrutiny of daily behavior contribute to a climate of fear and uncertainty in numerous Afghan communities. This systemic repression, while serving the Taliban's agenda to reshape Afghan society according to their interpretation of Islamic law, undermines international efforts and hopes for reintegration into the global community.