A man was recently arrested in Herat by the Afghan Taliban’s Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for shaving his beard, an act strictly prohibited under the group’s social regulations. The incident highlights the Taliban’s continued enforcement of rigid personal grooming rules, which have been widely criticized for curbing individual freedoms.
Local media identified the man as Aminullah Azizi, who was detained in Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. Reports indicate that this is not an isolated case; Taliban authorities in the region have previously taken similar actions against men violating beard regulations. These measures are part of a broader effort by the Taliban to impose strict social norms on Afghan society, particularly regarding appearance and behavior.
The Taliban has not released an official statement regarding Azizi’s arrest or clarified the charges against him. However, under their rules, men are required to maintain beards, and shaving is considered a punishable offense. Enforcement is carried out by the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which monitors and regulates public conduct across the country. Recently Taliban Ban Women from Markets Without Male Guardians
Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has reintroduced a wide range of strict social rules affecting daily life, especially for men and women. These include regulations on dress, movement, education, and personal appearance. International human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly condemned these policies, describing them as violations of basic human rights and personal freedoms. The arrest in Herat underscores the continuing challenges faced by Afghan citizens under the Taliban’s rule and the group’s strict approach to social control
