In the latest decree enforcing a strict interpretation of Islam, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Thursday issued a mandatory guideline for the government employees to attend mosque five times a day or face punishment. This edict is part of the Taliban's strict enforcement of an austere version of Islam since their takeover in 2021.
According to an AFP report, Akhundzada has been in charge of imposing extensive social restrictions, such as preventing many women and girls from attending school, mandating male chaperones for female students, and essentially outlawing music after gaining control.
"The officials of the ministries and institutions of the (Taliban government) are obliged by Sharia to pray in congregation at their fixed times," said the order signed by Akhundzada.
Punishments Are Unclear
The decree mentioned that employees who miss a prayer without a valid excuse will receive a warning, and repeated offenses will result in punishment. However, it remains unclear what form this punishment will take, as a Taliban government spokesperson did not respond to inquiries from AFP.
While Islamic practice requires Muslims to pray five times daily, either privately or at a mosque, the new order raises questions about how prayer attendance during non-work hours will be implemented.
Hibatullah Akhundzada rules the Afghan government from his hideout in southern Kandahar. It is the spiritual heartland of the Taliban movement which first ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The man who has headed the Taliban since 2016 rarely makes public appearances, and when he does, bodyguards forbid onlookers from taking pictures or videos of him.
His sporadic decrees, however, have significantly shaped the daily lives of Afghans. A recent United Nations report noted that these restrictive measures have created a climate of fear and intimidation among certain segments of the population.