Taliban Authorities Declare Certain Wedding Traditions ‘Forbidden’ in New Restrictions
The Taliban’s Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has declared several common wedding customs as “forbidden” and “immoral” and called for their prevention, imposing new restrictions on cultural traditions in society.
In a sermon text published for Friday prayers, imams across the country are instructed to inform worshippers that the custom of familiarizing a girl and boy during the courtship phase is against Sharia law. According to the ministry, meetings between girls and boys to gauge mutual consent and understand each other’s character and temperament are “forbidden.”
The released text states that some families allow boys and girls to get better acquainted before making a final decision to ensure mutual preference; however, the Taliban administration has labeled this practice incompatible with Islamic rulings.
Additionally, the sermon criticizes customs such as exchanging rings, holding henna nights, bridal makeup, and even the bride and groom sitting on a raised platform above others, warning against these practices. The Taliban Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice considers these acts examples of “immorality.”
Previously, the Taliban administration imposed restrictions on social ceremonies through directives on wedding gatherings, measures regarded as part of the administration’s policies to alter cultural and social patterns in the country.
