KABUL, Afghanistan: The Taliban government’s morality police detained about 20 aid workers near the Iran-Afghanistan border because their beards were not long enough, three sources from aid organizations told AFP on Monday.
The Taliban authorities in Kabul rule according to a strict interpretation of Islamic law and have said men must grow beards longer than a fist.
The staff detained were working on Saturday near the Islam Qala border crossing for organizations that cooperate with the United Nations, according to internal statements shared by two aid workers on condition of anonymity because of security reasons.
The morality police arrested “national male staff members from UN implementing partner organizations at the Islam Qala Reception Center due to trimmed or shaved beards,” said one of the internal statements from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Some of the aid workers were released the same day, while the rest were freed the following day, the statement said.
