Date: 21/12/1401 Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and Complaint Hearing, Takhar Province
Directorate of Morality and Public Supervision

Subject: Awareness for Hotel and Wedding Hall Owners in Takhar Province Regarding Women Without a Guardian and Congregational Prayer

To all hotel owners in Takhar Province:

Peace and blessings be upon you.

I pray for your health and well-being from Allah. As you are aware, in order to promote honor and chastity in society, remove immoralities, and establish virtuous practices, the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Takhar Province works tirelessly day and night. We seek cooperation from all concerned Muslims in this regard.

Therefore, the request from our Ministry to you is as follows: Women without a legal male guardian should not be allowed to dine alone in the hotels. Also, before the congregational prayer, all meals should be completed, and all guests should be excused to perform the prayer. We hope you will include this in your cooperation efforts.

Respectfully,
On behalf of the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Takhar Province

This directive imposes restrictions on women’s access to public spaces—specifically hotels and wedding halls—by prohibiting women from dining without a male guardian (mahram). It also mandates that venues pause operations during congregational prayers, compelling guests to participate or leave.Such measures amount to gender-based segregation and religious coercion, reinforcing the Taliban’s broader project of erasing women from public life and institutionalizing patriarchal control