Taliban leader orders all government employees to study the Sunni creed
Under a decree obtained by ACW, staff whose beards are shorter than a fist's length, who do not wear caps or who miss congregational prayer face pay suspension, demotion or dismissal.
Human Rights | Under a decree obtained by ACW, staff whose beards are shorter than a fist's length, who do not wear caps or who miss congregational prayer face pay suspension, demotion or dismissal.
ACW | October 30, 2026 — The Taliban leader has ordered all government employees to study the Sunni creed, grow beards and attend congregational prayers, according to a decree a copy of which was provided to ACW by its local sources.
The Pashto-language decree, No. 447, dated 19 Safar 1448 AH (August 2026), was sent from the general directorate of Hibatullah Akhundzada's office to all ministries, independent directorates and offices. It bears the Taliban leader's signature and the registration stamp of a ministry.
The decree says reports on the implementation of the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were reviewed, and issues the following orders to address "shortcomings":
1. Any employee whose "conduct and appearance" are contrary to Sharia shall receive a "ta'zir" punishment — suspension of salary, suspension from duty, demotion or dismissal — from the committee set up under decree No. 354 of 15 Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH.
2. All employees shall be taught how to pray, and the book "The Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" and a treatise on "the effect of obedience in consolidating the Sharia system" shall be taught to them on an ongoing basis.
3. All employees' beards and hair must be "in accordance with Sharia"; anyone whose beard is shorter than a fist's length shall be punished.
4. Employees shall wear caps and wear turbans during prayer.
5. All employees are obliged to attend congregational prayer; those who fail to do so shall be punished in the same way.
6. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must require the Taliban's missions and embassies abroad to implement these instructions.
As of publication, no response from the Taliban caretaker government to the decree has been seen.
Why it matters: The decree imposes ongoing instruction in the Sunni creed on all government employees, including Shia Muslims and followers of other beliefs, and makes beards, dress and attendance at communal worship a condition of keeping their jobs. Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a party, guarantees freedom of religion or belief and freedom from coercion in this area.
Background: The Taliban published their Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in August 2024. On 25 September 2026, Afghanistan International reported that the Taliban's directorate for following up decrees had sent a letter to Nangarhar University on enforcing the same penalties.
ACW will continue to follow this story.
