A bold warning from the Taliban targets Afghans who dressed in outfits inspired by the TV show Peaky Blinders, deeming them unacceptable under local Islamic values. Four young men from Jibrail, in Herat province, were summoned to report to the Taliban’s vice-and-virtue department after being photographed wearing flat caps, three-piece suits, and other styling reminiscent of post-World War I Britain.
A Taliban spokesman told the BBC that the clothing clashed with Afghan and Islamic norms and that Peaky Blinders’ fashion promotes values at odds with Afghan culture. He added that even casual attire like jeans could be permissible, but the series’ aesthetic itself was not in line with Afghan traditions.
The men, who are in their early twenties, were briefly questioned in Herat and then released. Officials characterized the episode as a minor encounter rather than an arrest, describing it as a “rehabilitation” or advisory process conducted by the regime’s morality police.
Authorities emphasized that Afghanistan has its own defined religious and cultural dress codes, arguing that the outfits lacked any Afghan identity and represented imitation of foreign media. They urged citizens to follow what they view as righteous religious precedents in fashion and behavior.
In a video released by the ministry after questioning, the men thanked officials for the guidance and said they were unaware they had violated any laws. One participant claimed innocence, stating he had merely shared content that contradicted Sharia and that he would refrain from similar posts.
Prior to the summons, another interview posted to YouTube suggested the friends admired the Peaky Blinders look and had already received positive feedback locally, including strangers stopping them for photos. The episode has sparked discussion about fashion, cultural norms, and the reach of Western media within Afghanistan, with some observers noting that public response to the style varied across communities.
