Jihadist Leader Urges Taliban to End Detention of Women, Slams Prison Conditions

Abdul Rabb Rasul Sayyaf, a prominent jihadist figure, has called on the Taliban to cease detaining women, labeling the group’s prisons as unclean and corrupt. His remarks come amidst increasing restrictions on women across various provinces.

Sayyaf: Taliban Prisons Are Unclean and Corrupt

Abdul Rabb Rasul Sayyaf, a well-known jihadist leader, has strongly criticized the Taliban government for the detention of women, urging an end to such practices. He informed the interim government officials that Taliban prisons are severely unclean and corrupt, deeming their actions inconsistent with human and religious standards.

In a message posted on social media on Tuesday, November 5, Sayyaf referred to these detentions as a disgraceful and shameful blemish. He emphasized that such harsh behaviors deeply offend the Islamic and national sentiments of the people of Afghanistan.

Increasing Detentions of Women in Herat

While Sayyaf did not provide specific examples, his criticism coincides with a surge in the detention of women for alleged “improper hijab” across various provinces, particularly in Herat. According to local reports, at least five women and girls were detained last week on the streets of Herat for not adhering to the Taliban’s dress code.

These incidents have become part of a strict and controlling trend initiated by the Taliban’s disciplinary bodies to monitor women’s movement and attire in urban areas over the past months.