Afghanistan: Taliban bans hairdressers from shaving or trimming beards, says it’s against Islamic law

The Taliban have banned hairdressers in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province from shaving or trimming beards, saying it’s against Islamic law and punishment will be meted on anyone who violates the law.

Some barbers in the capital, Kabul have said they also received similar orders.

Since taking power last month, the Taliban have carried out harsh punishments on opponents despite the promise to carry out a milder government.

In a notice posted on salons in southern Helmand province, Taliban officers warned that hairdressers must follow Sharia law for haircuts and beards.

“No one has a right to complain,” the notice, which was seen by the BBC, read.

“The fighters keep coming and ordering us to stop trimming beards,” one barber in Kabul said. “One of them told me they can send undercover inspectors to catch us.”

Another hairdresser, who runs one of the city’s biggest salons, said he received a call from someone claiming to be a government official. They instructed him to “stop following American styles” and not to shave or trim anyone’s beard.