Imagine being hauled in for questioning simply because of the clothes you wear. That’s exactly what happened to four young Afghan men who dared to dress like characters from the popular TV series Peaky Blinders. But here’s where it gets controversial: the Taliban’s ‘morality police’ deemed their outfits ‘un-Islamic’ and a threat to Afghan culture. Is this a step too far, or a necessary enforcement of cultural values? Let’s dive in.
Earlier this week, Mahfouz Zubaide and Mattea Bubalo reported that these four friends from Jibrail, a town in Herat province, were summoned by the Taliban’s Department of Vice and Virtue. Their crime? Posing in flat caps and three-piece suits inspired by the early 20th-century British gang drama. According to Taliban spokesman Saiful Islam Khyber, the issue wasn’t just the clothing—it was the values the show represents, which he claims clash with Afghan and Islamic traditions. ‘Even jeans would have been acceptable,’ Khyber told the BBC, ‘but the values in Peaky Blinders are against Afghan culture.’
And this is the part most people miss: The men weren’t formally arrested. Instead, they were ‘summoned, advised, and released’ after undergoing what Khyber called a ‘rehabilitation programme.’ In a video released by the ministry, the young men—all in their early twenties—thanked officials for their guidance, admitting they were unaware their actions violated any laws. One of them even acknowledged, ‘I have innocently been sharing content that was against Sharia, which had many viewers.’
But here’s the twist: Before their summons, the friends had shared in an interview with the YouTube channel Herat-Mic that their Peaky Blinders-inspired outfits were actually well-received by locals. ‘At first we were hesitant, but once we went outside, people liked our style, stopped us in the streets, and wanted to take photos with us,’ one of them explained. This raises a thought-provoking question: Who gets to decide what constitutes ‘Afghan culture’—the Taliban, or the people themselves?
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed numerous restrictions on daily life, citing their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Khyber emphasized, ‘We have our own religious and cultural values, and especially for clothing, we have specific traditional styles.’ He argued that the men’s outfits lacked ‘Afghan identity’ and were an imitation of British actors, adding, ‘Our society is Muslim; if we are to follow or imitate someone, we should follow our righteous religious predecessors in good and lawful matters.’
But is this a fair expectation in a globalized world where cultural exchange is inevitable? While the Taliban’s stance may resonate with some, others argue it stifles individual expression and isolates Afghanistan from global influences. What do you think? Is this a justified protection of cultural identity, or an overreach of authority? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—your perspective matters!
