Taliban took over Afghanistan, just days after the US withdrew its military forces from the war-torn nation. On August 15, former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Taliban surrounded Kabul, leaving citizens panicking.
Taliban’s most brutal and dreaded leader, Hibtullah Akhundzada has been made the President of the nation, raising concerns about women rights in Afghanistan. Women are feared as
allegedly the militia group has already issued new laws telling both men and women what to wear, what’s allowed and what’s not.
The eyes of the world are on whether the Taliban will turn to its old ways and implement Sharia law or will serve the public by providing human rights, particularly to women as promised
earlier.
What is Sharia Law?
Sharia, often known as Islamic law or Sharia law, is a religious law in the Islamic faith. It is based on Islamic religious precepts, primarily the Quran and hadith. Sharia means "clear, well-trodden path to water" in Arabic.
Sharia law is a code of conduct that all Muslims should follow, including prayers, fasting, and charitable contributions to the poor.
Its goal is to help Muslims comprehend how to live their lives in accordance with God's will in every way.
Tough punishments in Sharia
In Sharia law, crimes are divided into two categories, "hadd" offences, which are significant crimes with fixed penalties, and "tazir" offences, which are less serious crimes with the judge's discretion.
Theft, which can result in the offender's hand being amputated, and adultery, which can result in death by stoning, are examples of Hadd offences.
Execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or banishment from the land are the punishments for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive with force and main for harm throughout the land.
Adultery or fornication is punishable by a hundred strokes for both the woman and the man.
Those who accuse chaste women without bringing four witnesses will be beaten with eighty stripes and their testimony will be rejected.
However, not all Muslim countries adopt such brutal punishments for hadd offences, and attitudes of Muslims to harsh penalties for such offences vary greatly.
Apostasy, or leaving one's faith is a contentious issue in the Muslim world with experts claiming that the majority of scholars believe it should be punished by death.
Will Taliban implement Sharia law in Afghanistan?
With the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, people are dreaded as the militia group is turning to its old ways. The Taliban has stated that it respects women rights and confirmed that women would have the right to education as well as work, but have to wear hijab.
The latest developments in the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan show that the militia group is moving forward to implement the Sharia law.
Taliban leaders have stated publicly that they wish to offer women's rights "according to Islam."
The terror group announced new laws and regulations in July after conquering districts in Afghan Takhar region that includes prohibiting women from leaving home without a male relative and requiring men to grow beards.
Girls have been barred from attending school and their freedom of movement has been curtailed. Forcible weddings have also been reported.
To protect themselves from the Taliban, women are once again putting burqas and threatened to delete proof of their education and lives outside the home.
Taliban's rules for Women
Women should not be seen on the street alone unless they are accompanied by a blood relative or wearing a burka.
Women should not wear high-heeled shoes because no man should hear their footsteps.
A stranger shouldn't hear a woman's voice when she is speaking loudly in public.
It is illegal for women to have their photographs taken, filmed, or displayed in newspapers, books, stores, or at home.
Any place names including the word "women" should be removed.
Women are not permitted to go on balconies.
It is forbidden for women to appear on the radio, television, or in any public gathering.