Kabul, December 12: The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has once again sparked global attention after summoning four young men in Herat for wearing three-piece suits and flat caps inspired by the popular British TV series Peaky Blinders. The men, all in their early twenties, were instructed to report to the Taliban’s Department of Vice and Virtue after photos and videos of their outfits went viral on social media.
According to Taliban officials, the group’s attire—complete with tailored suits and cigars—was deemed “in conflict with Afghan and Islamic values.” A spokesperson for the department in Herat said the clothing amounted to “promoting foreign culture” and imitating characters from a “Western gangster series,” something the Taliban said was unacceptable under their interpretation of Islamic Sharia.
‘Jeans Would Have Been Acceptable,’ Say Taliban Officials
Officials argued that while modern clothing like jeans might be tolerated, fashion inspired directly from Western media was not.
“The style from the Peaky Blinders series has no Afghan identity and does not align with our traditional culture,” said a Taliban representative. “A Muslim society should follow its religious and moral examples, not foreign actors.”
The men reportedly appeared before authorities earlier this week and were subjected to what the Taliban described as a “rehabilitation programme.” They were later released after being “advised” not to repeat such behaviour.
Young Men Say They Weren’t Aware of Violations
In a video recorded by the ministry—under unclear circumstances—the men can be heard thanking officials and apologising for unintentionally violating Sharia guidelines.
One of them said he had “innocently been sharing content” unaware it would be considered inappropriate.
Before the summons, the group had discussed their fashion choices in a YouTube interview, saying they admired the elegant 1920s British style portrayed in the series and had received positive reactions from locals.
“People liked our style, stopped us in the streets and took photos,” one said.
Restrictions Tighten Under Taliban Rule
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced a growing list of rules covering clothing, social behaviour, entertainment, and public gatherings. Western-influenced culture—including music videos, films, and certain social media trends—has been heavily restricted.
Human rights groups note that the morality police have increasingly summoned citizens—especially the youth—over what they deem inappropriate attire or online activity. Afghan cultural observers say such incidents highlight the administration’s efforts to control not just political and social freedoms but also personal expression.
The Taliban have defended their actions, stating that preserving Islamic identity and Afghan traditions is central to their governance.
A Symbolic Case of Culture vs. Control
The incident has sparked debate across Afghan communities online. While some support the Taliban’s stance on cultural preservation, many others argue that harmless fashion choices should not be policed.
For Afghanistan’s youth—already facing severe limits on education, employment and public life—the episode is seen as another reminder of shrinking personal freedoms.