Four Afghan men were summoned by the Taliban government's Department of Vice and Virtue in Herat province after their clothing, which resembled styles from the British television series "Peaky Blinders," was deemed to conflict with Afghan and Islamic values. The incident occurred as the Taliban continues to enforce regulations on daily life based on its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law since assuming power in 2021.
Incident Details
The men, all in their early twenties and from the town of Jibrail in Herat province, wore flat caps and three-piece suits. This attire was noted for its similarity to fashion depicted in the period drama set in post-World War One England. They were ordered to report to the department on a Sunday and presented themselves for questioning in Herat the following day.
Taliban's Position on Cultural Values
Saiful Islam Khyber, a spokesman for the Taliban government's provincial Department of Vice and Virtue in Herat city, stated that the men's clothing was considered "in conflict with Afghan and Islamic values" and "against Afghan culture." Khyber further indicated that the values presented in "Peaky Blinders" were incompatible with Afghan societal norms. He explained that the attire "has no Afghan identity at all and does not match our culture," emphasizing the importance of adherence to specific traditional styles and religious predecessors in a Muslim society.
Khyber also clarified that while "even jeans would have been acceptable," the specific style chosen was not. He confirmed on social media that the men were perceived as "promoting foreign culture and imitating film actors in Herat" and had undergone a "rehabilitation programme."
Outcome and Individuals' Response
The individuals were not formally arrested but were "only summoned and advised and released," according to Khyber. A video released by the ministry after the questioning showed the men expressing gratitude for the advice and stating their prior unawareness of any violations. One man affirmed, "I have innocently been sharing content that was against Sharia which had many viewers," and committed to refraining from similar actions. The specific circumstances under which this video interview was recorded were not detailed.
Prior to being summoned, in an interview uploaded in late November to the YouTube channel Herat-Mic, the men had expressed admiration for the fashion from the series. They reported receiving positive public feedback, with one stating that locals had liked their style, stopped them for photos, and wanted to take pictures with them.