From 'Not Helping Non-Muslims' To Prohibiting Women From Reading Poetry, All About Taliban's New Laws

The Taliban's new law aimed at "promoting virtue and preventing vice" codifies their strict interpretation of Islamic rules, introducing a comprehensive framework that controls almost all aspects of Afghan society. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed various social restrictions, but this new law-consisting of 35 articles-solidifies their vision with more clarity and detailed instructions. Enforcement has already begun, but inconsistencies remain in how rigorously it will be applied.

What Does the New Law Proscribe

One of the most controversial articles targets women's voices, stating that "a woman's voice should not be raised outside the home" and that women are forbidden from singing or reading poetry aloud.

Other rules include strict gender segregation, as "unrelated men and women are forbidden from looking at each other." Women are also required to cover themselves fully in front of non-Muslim women.

Men are subject to austere grooming and dressing standards as well. They are ordered to "grow beards longer than a fist" and wear loose-fitting clothes to ensure modesty. The law goes as far as banning sodomy "even with one's own wife."

The media is heavily policed under these new rules, as content that "mocks or humiliates Islam" is strictly prohibited. The law also dictates that transport schedules must be altered to fit prayer times, and Muslims are told they should not "befriend or help non-Muslims."

A variety of everyday activities, including traditional games and the taking or viewing of photos of living beings on smartphones or computers, are now banned.

There are also specific family-related provisions: "Disobedience of parents has also been outlawed," marking an emphasis on reinforcing traditional hierarchies.

Early Signs of Enforcement

In the days following the law's announcement on August 21, testimonies gathered by AFP indicated that enforcement was already taking place, with officials from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice patrolling the streets. In Kabul, women have been warned for traveling without a "mahram" (a male chaperone), or for having part of their hair or hands exposed.

Men are also being targeted. A young man in Kabul reported being stopped three times and questioned by the morality police about his beard. "They asked me why I didn't have a beard. I was scared and promised them I would grow one," he said. A taxi driver in Mazar-e-Sharif mentioned being "warned many times not to transport women without a mahram" or those who were not fully covered.

In other cases, public institutions have also been quick to comply. In a Kabul bank, for instance, employees have swapped their Western attire for traditional Afghan clothing to avoid trouble with officials. Despite these crackdowns, some of the rules are still being inconsistently applied. Women's voices, for example, could still be heard on TV and radio stations as recently as this week.

Overlap with Previous Restrictions

Many of the provisions in the new law are not entirely new. Since the Taliban ousted US-led troops in 2021, they have implemented a range of social curbs that overlap with these new regulations. Girls have long been banned from attending secondary schools, and women from universities. Public prayer at specific times has been made mandatory, while music and gambling in public have already been outlawed.

Segregation of men and women is required in most public spaces, and previously announced bans on adultery, homosexuality, and drug addiction are reinforced by this new law. However, the current document goes further by providing more detailed guidance on how to enforce these rules, as well as outlining punishments that range from verbal warnings to detentions and fines.

Unanswered Questions

The new law introduces several grey areas. For example, women are instructed to leave their homes only for "an urgent need," but the law does not define what qualifies as urgent. This ambiguity could result in uneven enforcement or confusion among citizens and officials alike.

The ban on "friendship and assistance to non-Muslims" raises questions about Afghanistan's ability to engage with international organisations, many of which provide critical aid to the country. It also casts doubt on how the Taliban will navigate relationships with Western nations, potentially exacerbating their pariah status on the world stage.

Another significant question revolves around the enforcement of the media-related provisions. While mocking Islam is explicitly prohibited, it remains unclear how closely authorities will monitor content on phones and TV or what kind of punishment violators may face.

A United Nations report from July highlighted these uncertainties, noting that "ambiguities and inconsistencies" had already existed regarding the enforcement of morality laws. The new law only expands these measures but does little to resolve the inconsistencies in how they will be implemented across Afghan society.

Impact on Afghan Society

As the Taliban tighten their grip on social conduct, Afghan citizens are increasingly self-policing to avoid confrontations with authorities. While many aspects of the new law have yet to be fully enforced, there is a growing atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, especially among women and those in urban centers like Kabul, where Western influence had previously been more prominent.

The Taliban's new manifesto represents a further consolidation of their rule, with wide-ranging implications for daily life in Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how strictly these laws will be enforced, but early indications suggest a significant shift toward a more repressive social order.