Women can't speak aloud, hear each others voices, says Taliban diktat

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has introduced a new restriction, reportedly banning Afghan women from praying aloud in the presence of each other. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s minister for the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice, announced the rule, emphasizing that women should not recite the Quran audibly around other women. This restriction adds to a long list of measures imposed by the Taliban aimed at controlling the presence and voices of Afghan women in public and private spaces.

“When women are not allowed to call Takbir or Azan (the Islamic call to prayer), they certainly cannot sing songs or enjoy music,” Hanafi stated, underscoring the Taliban’s stance on restricting women’s voices in public and religious domains.

According to Virginia-based Amu TV, the ban may have broader implications. Local sources report that the new rule reinforces existing restrictions prohibiting women from speaking publicly, especially with male relatives or strangers. Even female healthcare workers—one of the few groups allowed to work outside the home—are now instructed not to speak publicly, including discussing medical issues with male family members.

This latest directive comes after several measures enacted by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021, including strict dress codes mandating full-body coverage and rules prohibiting women from participating in most public activities. Experts warn that the regime’s tightening controls could push Afghan women further into isolation.

The Taliban’s intensifying restrictions on Afghan women, particularly concerning their right to speak and interact in society, reflect a broader push to restrict their role and visibility within Afghan society.