The new Taliban regime in Afghanistan remains committed to rules and regulations that restrain the freedom of women. Posters have recently been stuck up in Kabul, showing the two 'recommended' forms of women's outdoors clothing, namely the traditional 'blue burqa', and the more Middle Eastern 'black burqa' (compare an earlier TRC blog).

But really fascinating was the new 'uniform' of the officials of the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue. They were photographed recently in Kabul with their traditional long black beards, but also wearing a coat that made them look like Iranian scientists trying to develop a nuclear bomb; it is a very Western-style, white coat of a type the rest of the world associates with hospitals, laboratories, abattoirs etc. The Taliban officials wear this coat over their shalwar kamiz. It may get a bit warm. Is this garment now part of the specific uniform of officials of this ministry?

Afghan Taliban officials of the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and the Promotion of Virtue. Photograph BBC 22 May 2022.

Dress is a language and the white coat obviously carries a message. What does this coat tell us? There is something hygienic and clinical, scientific and objective about the coats. They are not traditional or even traditionally Islamic; the message seems to elevate the wearer above factions and political opinions. "We preach a divine message, which goes beyond any 'political' controversies."

Can anyone help the TRC to acquire such a coat for its collection?

Willem Vogelsang, 23 May 2022