Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Afghanistan: Taliban ban Helmand barbers from trimming beards
Historically, social attitudes toward male beards have varied widely. While Islam considers a full beard is important and even mandates it as part of their observance, other cultures view a beard as out of fashion or unhygienic. Also, beards are grown to protect the wearer’s face from cold air or direct sunlight. But even among Muslims, beards are regarded differently by Islamic tradition. Some mandate beard and prohibit shaving it while others just recommend beard and permit shaving or trimming it. In Shia, the length of a beard is limited, and therefore trimming is allowed while prohibiting shaving. In Taliban-led Afghanistan, shaving or trimming beards is now regarded as a violation of Islamic law and officially prohibited in some regions. It seems that they are reviving the strict rulings which took place between 1996 and 2001. Barbers are told not to shave or trim anyone’s beard. They enjoyed the shaving and trimming business for the last 15 years under American influence but now they need to look for other opportunities for their business and livelihood. What will young girls, who aren’t used to unshaven, untrimmed beards, think of men?
Read the article and learn of the changes in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.
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