Following public protests in Herat against the detention of women for not wearing a chadari (burqa), the Taliban has issued a statement on hijab, calling on women to cover their entire bodies and faces and to behave in a manner that prevents their voices from being heard.
In a statement titled “Islamic Hijab” published on Wednesday, Jun 10, the Taliban said that covering women’s faces is necessary “to prevent temptation” and that women are obligated to conceal their bodies and faces when appearing in public.
According to the statement, women’s voices are also considered “awrah” (something that should be concealed) and should not be heard singing, reciting, or chanting.
Most of what is outlined in the statement had already been included in the Taliban’s Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which has imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s social lives in Afghanistan.
The statement comes amid growing reports in recent days of women and girls being detained in Herat for not wearing a chadari (burqa), prompting widespread domestic and international reactions.
Following the mass detentions in Herat, sources in Kabul said that several Shia religious schools have granted their female students a 10-day holiday due to concerns over Taliban arrests of girls.
The Taliban’s recent actions have heightened concerns about increasing restrictions on women and a further erosion of citizens’ individual freedoms in Afghanistan.
