In a stark enforcement of their cultural edicts, the Taliban have arrested at least four young men in Afghanistan for dressing as characters from the popular Netflix series Peaky Blinders. Authorities condemned their imitation of the British gangster drama as a promotion of “foreign culture” and a breach of Islamic and Afghan values.
What Exactly Did the Men Do?
The four men, all in their early twenties, were detained in the western Herat province. Videos and photos that circulated widely on Afghan social media showed them meticulously dressed in tailored suits, waistcoats, overcoats, and the series’ signature flat caps. Their composed, unsmiling demeanor and actions—including smoking cigar-like cigarettes while walking and driving through town—were direct imitations of the show’s lead character, Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy.
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Why Did the Taliban React So Strongly?
The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice took charge of the case. A spokesperson, Saif Khyber, stated that the men’s behaviour was not aligned with “Islamic values and Afghan culture.” He framed the arrests as a defensive act, claiming, “We have saved this country from the spread of corrupt cultures through great sacrifices, and now we will defend it as well.” The men were not sent to a typical prison but to a Taliban-run “rehabilitation centre” for behavioural correction.
What Are the Taliban’s Rules on Dress and Conduct?
The incident underlines the regime’s strict rules on public behaviour. Men are required to wear traditional Afghan clothing such as salwar kameez, along with a hat or turban, and keep long beards. Western outfits like suits, T-shirts, and trousers are banned. The arrests over Peaky Blinders costumes reflect enforcement of these rules against what is seen as cultural influence.
What is ‘Peaky Blinders’ and Why is it Controversial There?
Peaky Blinders is a critically acclaimed British period crime drama set in post-World War I Birmingham. It follows the violent and ambitious Shelby crime family. In Afghanistan under Taliban rule, the show’s themes of crime and rebellion are secondary concerns. The primary issue for the authorities is the visible adoption of non-Islamic, Western clothing and style, which they view as a direct challenge to their mandated national identity and moral code.
Immediate FAQs
Q: What were the men arrested for?
A: They were arrested for dressing in suits, caps, and overcoats to imitate characters from the Netflix series Peaky Blinders, which the Taliban deem “foreign culture.”
Q: Where were they sent after arrest?
A: They were lodged in a Taliban “rehabilitation centre” to undergo a “correction” programme intended to instil Islamic values.
Q: What is the Taliban’s dress code for men?
A: Men must wear traditional Afghan clothing (salwar kameez with a hat/turban) and maintain a long beard. Western attire is banned.
Q: Is watching Netflix banned by the Taliban?
A: While not clearly mentioned, the Taliban’s tough rules against “corrupt cultures” and its emphasis on Islamic values mean that consuming Western media, such as Peaky Blinders, can be dangerous.