Taliban leader: Women's voices are forbidden, even if they are reciting the Quran

The Taliban leader has announced a new law that bans the voice of a woman, even if she is reciting the Quran.

Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada has issued new laws titled "Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil" to the Taliban government for implementation, which emphasize restrictions on women's voices and faces.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Afghanistan Service, the Taliban leader’s new law, which was notified to the Taliban government’s Ministry of Encouraging Righteousness and Forbidding Wrong two days ago, affects many people, especially women, and their lives. Article 13 of the new law announced by the Taliban government’s Ministry of Justice states that covering the entire body of women is mandatory (compulsory), and according to this law, “covering the face of women is necessary due to fear of sedition.” In addition, according to the aforementioned law, a woman’s voice, even if it is reciting the Quran, is against Islamic law and is prohibited.

According to Abdul Ghaffar Farooq, spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of Encouraging Good and Preventing Evil, who announced on Thursday, August 22, "The Taliban assure that this Islamic law will greatly help promote good and prevent evil."

In response to this law, Afghan women and girls called it "strict restrictions on Afghan women." Some women in Kabul and Nimroz also criticized the announcement of this law, saying, "The Taliban want to attract the world's attention by enacting strict laws against women."

"The Taliban's new law has restricted women's human rights, and the international community has emboldened the Taliban to do so," said Heather Barr, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in response to the announcement. "Now it appears that the Taliban feel more empowered and emboldened, and are continuing their path with great enthusiasm."

According to the Associated Press, the 114-page, 35-article document of the Taliban's new law is the first official document of codified laws on the issue of enjoining good and forbidding evil by the Taliban government after it regained power in Afghanistan.