![TELEMMGLPICT000389849908_17234523153830_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000389849908_17234523153830_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg)
The faces of mannequins are covered in Kabul to reflect the Taliban's austere interpretation of Islamic law
Clothes shops in Kabul have been instructed to hide the faces of mannequins by order of the Taliban.
When the Afghan regime swept back to power in August 2021, it imposed an austere interpretation of Islamic law, including an edict against depicting human faces.
The rule is enforced across the country by teams from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
Dressed in long white jackets, they visit Kabul’s stores multiple times each week.
![Taliban members of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice Taliban members of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000389861906_17234523862880_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Taliban members of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice
“The environment must be Islamic,” said one salesman in Kabul, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.
“It makes the display a bit ugly,” he said, adding that it “doesn’t affect sales”.
![Male mannequins wearing three-piece wedding suits have their faces covered in tin foil Male mannequins wearing three-piece wedding suits have their faces covered in tin foil](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/world-news/2024/08/12/TELEMMGLPICT000389849870_17234523268680_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Male mannequins wearing three-piece wedding suits have their faces covered in tin foil
Women’s evening dresses - bought to be worn only in private, at gender-segregated weddings or engagement parties - are displayed with mannequins’ heads wrapped in plastic, foil or black bags.