Taliban Imposes New Restriction on Afghan Women's Right to Pray Aloud

In a latest development, the Taliban has issued a decree banning Afghan women from praying aloud in the presence of one another. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban's Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, announced that women should avoid reciting the Quran audibly when other women are nearby. He justified the rule by explaining that a woman’s voice is considered "awrah," meaning it should be kept private and not heard publicly, even among other females.

Hanafi added that if women cannot call Takbir or Azan—the Islamic calls to prayer—they certainly should not engage in activities like singing or enjoying music. This new restriction has raised concerns, with experts worried that it could further suppress women's self-expression and restrict their presence in public life.

Since reclaiming power in 2021, the Taliban has reintroduced a range of measures restricting women’s freedoms. Afghan women have faced mandates to wear full-body coverings and face veils in public, and those working in healthcare—the few still permitted to work outside—face limitations on speaking publicly, especially with male relatives. These accumulating restrictions have drawn serious concerns from human rights advocates worldwide, as they indicate a worsening environment for women in Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s return to rule in August 2021 saw the reinstatement of several oppressive policies reminiscent of their governance in the 1990s, when they banned television and music. Over the past three years, Afghan girls have been barred from middle and high school education, university, and employment in government and international organizations. Other restrictions include the closure of beauty salons, the requirement for male guardians during travel, full face and body coverings, and mandating that female news presenters wear masks on-air.

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