Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has declared that the international community has no right to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and said that the “moral reform” of society remains the responsibility of his ministry and its inspectors.
On Thursday, June 18, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice published excerpts from Hanafi’s speech at a three-day training and reform seminar for morality inspectors in Kabul.
Speaking to hundreds of participants, Hanafi claimed that divisions which he said had been created among Afghans by “enemies of religion” had disappeared following the Taliban’s return to power.
He further argued that opponents of the Taliban and what he described as “enemies of Islam” had failed to undermine the unity and cohesion of the group.
Addressing the inspectors, Hanafi said promoting religious values throughout society was both an official and religious duty and urged them to carry out their responsibilities with full commitment.
The Taliban minister also stressed the complete implementation of the group’s Vice and Virtue Law and called on inspectors to demonstrate patience in their supervisory and outreach activities. He said morality officers should first possess a thorough understanding of Islamic teachings and religious principles.
The remarks come as the ministry has brought 550 morality inspectors from all 34 provinces of Afghanistan to Kabul for a large-scale training and reform program.
At the same time, domestic and international criticism of the ministry’s activities has intensified in recent months. Human rights organizations and international institutions have repeatedly called on the Taliban to remove restrictions imposed on women and to comply with Afghanistan’s international obligations.
Criticism increased further following reports of mass arrests of women in Herat and the suppression of public protests in the province.
Hanafi did not address the recent developments in Herat or the growing criticism directed at morality officers during his speech.
The Taliban’s Vice and Virtue Law grants broad powers to morality inspectors, who monitor behavior, dress codes and various aspects of public life across Afghanistan.
Human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concern that these measures restrict personal freedoms and disproportionately affect women and girls throughout the country.
The Taliban, however, continue to defend the ministry’s activities as part of their interpretation of Islamic governance and social regulation.
