Taliban Official Emphasizes Sharia Implementation and Mandatory Hijab
Mawlawi Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, acting head of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing Complaints under the Taliban administration, stressed the importance of patience and perseverance for religious preachers during the closing session of a three-day seminar for Islamic missionaries. He said that religious advocates bear the responsibility of conveying Islamic teachings to the people.
According to Hanafi, every preacher must have complete knowledge of Islam and act accordingly to “reform society.” Citing a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad, he stated that religious calls should not be conducted with harshness; rather, people should be invited to implement Sharia law with glad tidings and gentleness.
The acting minister also added that all departments affiliated with the Taliban administration are obliged to fully cooperate with preachers. He urged them to convey Islamic Sharia teachings and the values advocated by the administration to “all segments of society” and to strive for their realization.
In another part of his speech, Hanafi described the hijab as a “divine order” and declared its observance mandatory. He claimed that wearing the hijab benefits women by preserving their dignity and protection.
These remarks come amid ongoing domestic and international criticism of the Taliban’s strict policies regarding the hijab and broad restrictions on women’s social participation. Many residents of the country say that the unilateral emphasis on the mandatory enforcement of these rules, without providing opportunities for education, work, and social engagement for women, has raised serious concerns about their fundamental rights.
