Kabul enforces faceless mannequins in shops due to Taliban's rule against human face depiction.

Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, has introduced faceless mannequins in shop windows, following the Taliban's edict against depicting human faces as part of their strict interpretation of Islamic law. Teams from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice enforce the rule nationwide, visiting stores multiple times each week. Clothes sellers have adapted to this rule, covering mannequins' faces with plastic bags, foil, or black bags. The dresses on display are mostly for private, gender-segregated weddings or engagement parties, as the Taliban government has instructed women to cover themselves fully in public. Despite the unattractive displays, sales have not been affected, and customers and sellers seem largely indifferent to the faceless mannequins.

August 12, 2024
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