Taliban in Kandahar Ban “Henna Night” Ceremony
Date: 18/02/1402

The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Kandahar has banned the traditional “Henna Night” ceremony in the province.

According to Rukhshana Media, an audio recording obtained by the outlet features Mawlawi Abdul Hai Omar, head of the ministry in Kandahar, instructing all officers across the province’s districts to prevent the celebration of Henna Night events.

Although the exact date of the recording is unclear, it was shared with Rakhshana Media on Monday, April 18.

In the message, Abdul Hai Omar further ordered the arrest of any men who escort women to these ceremonies, stating that Henna Night gatherings are no longer permitted under any circumstances.

He specifically addressed morality officers in all 19 districts of Kandahar, naming each one, and declared a full and official ban on the holding of Henna Night celebrations.

The Taliban’s ban on Henna Night ceremonies in Kandahar reflects a broader effort to erase women from public and Cultural Rights. By targeting a traditional, gender-segregated celebration rooted in Afghan heritage, the Taliban are not only restricting women’s freedom of expression and assembly but also dismantling cultural practices that foster community and joy. Criminalizing participation—especially with threats of arrest—deepens the regime’s enforcement of gender apartheid and cultural repression