Taliban bans women from hearing each other in prayer, forbids singing in Afghanistan

KABUL: Taliban government in Afghanistan has imposed restrictions on women praying aloud in public. The order, issued by Taliban Minister Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, bans women from reciting prayers or the Qur'an audibly in the presence of others, even if other women are around. According to the directive, a woman’s voice is considered "awra" (something to be covered), thus prohibiting it from being heard publicly. The order also extends to the singing or enjoyment of songs, declaring it impermissible.

This latest decree has sparked significant backlash from Afghan activists, who continue to protest the Taliban’s harsh restrictions on women’s freedoms. Since reclaiming power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has imposed numerous oppressive measures against women and girls, barring them from basic rights, including education and employment.

In one of its earliest restrictions, the Taliban banned girls from attending secondary school within a month of taking power. Following this, the Ministry of Education reportedly instructed schools to prohibit the teaching of girls over the age of ten. Additionally, women were banned from universities in December 2022 and denied employment in private organizations, including NGOs. These bans have steadily eroded Afghan women’s participation in education and the labor force, leaving them with limited prospects and autonomy.