Taliban Leader Approves New Law Regulating Religious Preachers’ Activities

The leader of the Taliban administration has enacted a new law governing how religious preachers operate and conduct their activities, outlined in two chapters and 17 articles. According to this law, all missionary activities will henceforth be regulated under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

The law sets specific criteria for preachers, including that they must follow the Hanafi sect, be of legal adult age, possess sound mind, and have complete mastery over the subject matter. It also emphasizes qualities such as sincerity, patience, and good conduct.

Under this law, preachers are permitted to use methods such as speeches, invitations conveyed with good character, references to jihadist backgrounds, and the use of social media, radio, magazines, and books. However, the use of images of living beings in these media is prohibited, a restriction that could further limit their media activities.

Another section of the document states that propaganda groups are not allowed to bring women and underage children along during their invitations. The imposition of such broad restrictions indicates that the Taliban administration is aiming to bring religious and social activities more tightly under its centralized control—a move that observers say could impact individual freedoms and religious diversity in the country.