A group of Afghan men who embraced the distinctive style of the fictional British gang, the Peaky Blinders, were recently apprehended by the Taliban in Herat city and subsequently sent to a rehabilitation center.
The four young men, reportedly in their 20s, had gone viral after videos showed them strolling through Herat’s streets dressed in the gang’s signature 1920s attire: overcoats, waistcoats, and flat caps. Their unique and highly visible appearance, inspired by the popular BBC drama series, stood in stark contrast to local norms.
However, their foray into historical UK fashion was short-lived under the strict rule of the Taliban.
Enforcement of Virtue and Vice
Taliban authorities in Herat quickly took action, arresting the four individuals last Thursday at a local cafe. A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice confirmed the charge: “promoting foreign and un-Islamic culture” and “causing public disturbance through inappropriate attire.”
Rather than facing standard criminal proceedings, the men, aged between 20 and 24, were transferred to a government rehabilitation facility. These centers are typically used for ex-combatants or individuals deemed to have deviated from accepted social and moral norms.
The incident underscores the rigid enforcement of Sharia law in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Since seizing power in 2021, the regime has systematically banned forms of Western entertainment and enforced strict, conservative dress codes, viewing them as contrary to Islamic values. This is the first known case where authorities have targeted citizens for imitating a specific foreign television series.
What would you like to do next?
- Search for information on Taliban restrictions on social media in Afghanistan.
- Ask for a summary of the “Peaky Blinders” TV show.
