Bakhtar News Agency published images on Monday showing a gathering of women and girls wearing face veils and niqabs in the city of Herat. Participants in the assembly expressed support for the Taliban’s emphasis on observing hijab and called for adherence to this form of dress.
The attendees held placards reading slogans such as “The chadori and hijab are the banner of dignity for Afghan women” and “Hijab is the path to salvation,” as they gathered on one of Herat’s streets and expressed their views on the importance of hijab.
Bakhtar News Agency did not provide further details regarding the exact time of the gathering, its location, or the individuals or institutions responsible for organizing the event.
Participants in the assembly criticized what they described as “propaganda and efforts by certain individuals and media outlets to promote immodesty,” and emphasized the necessity of observing the dress code endorsed by the Taliban.
In Herat, women use various forms of covering, including the chador prayer shawl, headscarves, face veils, and chadori. However, the Taliban considers an Islamic form of dress to be one in which the entire body and face of a woman are covered, except for the eyes.
Previously, Bakhtar News Agency had also published a video of another gathering of girls in Herat in which participants emphasized the importance of adhering to the dress code approved by the Taliban.
The gathering took place amid reports that Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has recently detained dozens of women over their dress. This move has drawn reactions and protests both inside and outside Afghanistan.
According to reports, Taliban security forces used force to disperse protesters and opened fire on them. As a result of the incident, at least two people, including a child, were killed.
In addition to human rights organizations, the Shiite Ulema Council of Afghanistan also responded to these incidents. In a statement issued on 20 Jawza, the council urged Taliban morality enforcers to avoid excessive and provocative actions.
The Shiite Ulema Council of Afghanistan further emphasized that security forces could have managed the protest without resorting to violence, in order to prevent escalation and clashes.
Meanwhile, Herat’s Taliban governor, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, defended the enforcement of hijab regulations. He stated that the decision to implement these rules was made after months of consultation and that enforcement would continue comprehensively. He also stressed the full implementation of the directive.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
