Nor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban governor of Herat, says that in recent months there has been a significant decline in compliance with the group’s preferred dress code in the province. He has claimed that this is one of the reasons behind recent actions in Herat.
In an interview with the Taliban-affiliated news agency Al-Emara, Islamjar described the detention of a number of women in Herat as being carried out within the framework of what he called the “command of God and His Messenger,” stating that these measures were implemented to enforce dress code regulations. He also accused some women of being influenced by “non-Afghan culture” during their migration to neighboring countries.
The Taliban governor said that the issue of women’s dress was implemented after extensive review and what he described as a “serious necessity.” He added that “Sharia hijab” in Herat’s tradition means wearing the burqa, and claimed that in recent years the use of the chador prayer garment or similar coverings has become common instead.
In his view, some women are attempting to alter what he described as the “cultural, religious, and historical identity of Herat.”
Islamjar further claimed that the detentions are being carried out by female officers and that male forces are not involved. However, images and videos circulated on social media reportedly show men also participating in the arrest of women, a matter that has previously drawn criticism.
He also described these images as “fake and generated by artificial intelligence,” and emphasized that none of the detained women are being held in prison.
According to the Taliban governor, some of the women have been released after “advice and disciplinary measures” and with guarantees from their families, returning to their homes. He did not provide details on where the individuals were held, stating only that they were “advised and reformed” in secure locations.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
