An Afghan barber trims a customer's beard at a salon in Kabul. (Photo: AFP)KABUL - Barbers in Afghanistan risk detention for trimming men’s beards too short, they told AFP, as the Taliban authorities enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law with increasing zeal. The religious affairs ministry’s arguments against trimming state that by shaving their beards, men were “trying to look like women”. In areas where Taliban fighters were battling US-backed forces, men would grow beards either out of fear or by choice. As fewer and fewer men opt for a close shave, the 25-year-old Kabul barber said he was already losing business.

Source: Bangkok Post February 19, 2026 10:10 UTC