The Taliban issued a fresh directive on weddings and engagement parties in Afghanistan this week, barring women from wearing make-up, hair extensions and perfume and saying the exchange of rings is a Western import forbidden under Islamic law.
The country’s de-facto rulers issued the directive on Thursday, ordering clerics to relay it to people in their Friday sermons.
It says couples are no longer allowed to wear rings, or apply henna to each other’s hands during engagement ceremonies, alleging that the wedding ring is a Christian rather than a Muslim tradition.
Women are banned from leaving their home to have their make-up done – a practice that had in any case largely stopped since the Taliban shut down beauty salons across the country, removing the one avenue for women to gather and socialise with each other. Doing so “creates the conditions for acts contrary to Islamic law and for immorality,” according to the directive, which states that hair extensions and perfume are also forbidden.
The Taliban said Islamic teachings were not being followed in engagement, marriage and mourning ceremonies. Music is already forbidden at wedding and engagement ceremonies in Afghanistan, where Taliban fighters have reportedly conducted raids where they suspected this was happening. The new directive specifically says people must not sing or dance.
“Be protective of your faith, your chastity, and your honour, and do not be deceived by Western cultures,” it says.
Rising poverty in Afghanistan means the vast majority of families can’t afford lavish weddings, and there have been reports of large mass marriage ceremonies being held to keep down the cost.
