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Taliban summons men for wearing Western-style clothing
Four young Afghan men were instructed to appear before the Taliban's morality authorities in Herat after donning suits resembling those from the British TV drama Peaky Blinders, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Clothing deemed un-Islamic
The Taliban's provincial Department of Vice and Virtue said the men's attire clashed with "Afghan and Islamic values." Spokesperson Saiful Islam Khyber told the BBC that while jeans might have been acceptable, the Peaky Blinders aesthetic contradicted local culture.
"The clothing they wore has no Afghan identity and does not match our culture," Khyber stated. "Their actions imitated actors from a British film, and our society should follow righteous religious predecessors instead."
Men released after questioning
The men, all in their early twenties from Jibrail in Herat province, were summoned on Sunday and reported to authorities the next day. They were not arrested but underwent what Khyber described as a "rehabilitation programme" before being released.
In a video released by the ministry, the men appeared to express remorse, with one stating: "I innocently shared content against Sharia. I was advised and will not repeat this." The circumstances of the recording remain unclear.
Public reaction mixed
Before their summons, the men told the YouTube channel Herat-Mic that locals had reacted positively to their outfits. "People liked our style, stopped us in the streets, and wanted photos," one said in an interview translated by CBS News.
Broader restrictions under Taliban rule
Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has enforced strict interpretations of Sharia law, including dress codes and public behavior. The morality police regularly monitor compliance with these rules.
"We have our own religious and cultural values, especially for clothing. If we imitate anyone, it should be our righteous predecessors."
Saiful Islam Khyber, Taliban spokesperson
