Posters calling for women to wear the hijab in Kabul

Another setback for the initial promises of the Taliban, who returned to power after the departure of US forces Afghanistan. Posters claiming that women “must” wear the hijab, along with an image of the burqa, were displayed in businesses in Kabul. The labels are accompanied by a short text that states, “According to the Principles of
Islamic LawA woman must wear the veil,” without specifying whether it is a simple scarf or a garment that covers the entire face.

It is the ministry of virtue and the prevention of vice, which many feared at first Taliban regime (1996-2001) and returned by the Islamists after seizing power in mid-August, which is the origin of the publication of these posters. “These posters were published by the ministry, but this does not mean that if the woman does not follow them, she will be punished or beaten,” a ministry spokesman explained. “It is just an encouragement to follow Islamic law for a Muslim woman. Even if a woman covers herself with a simple veil, that is okay too. In general, these posters are encouragement.”

It will create fear.

Since their return to power, the Taliban, who seek recognition by the international community, say they are more moderate than they were during their first rule, but these posters add to a series of measures aimed at imposing their strict vision of Islam. They announced that women like to travel long distances He must be accompanied by a man from their immediate relatives and called on drivers to accept women on board only if they were wearing the “Islamic headscarf”.

“It’s not good. It will create fear,” fears Shagha Noori, who runs the restaurant where the poster was placed. “What they are trying to do is spread fear among the people,” said a student and human rights activist on condition of anonymity. “They call you a ‘prostitute’ for no reason, just because your face is visible or you’re wearing the pants.”

However, it must be emphasized that even before the Islamists returned to power, all Afghan women had covered themselves with at least one. scarf. Many also wore the burqa, including in areas controlled by the former US-backed government.