RASC News Agency: Numerous residents in Herat province, located in western Afghanistan, affirm that the dominance of the Taliban in the country has led to an escalation in the prices of turbans or headscarves within the local markets. Ezmaray, a resident, conveyed to a RASC correspondent on Saturday, December 30th, that presently, the cost of a turban or headscarf varies from 350 Kabuli rupees to a maximum of 2,000 Kabuli rupees in the markets of this province. He noted that this surge in prices coincides with the Taliban’s assumption of power in Afghanistan.
Ezmaray underscores that during Ashraf Ghani’s government, fewer individuals were observed wearing turbans. However, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan has led to an increase in the price of this male accessory. Concurrently, Gholam Sidiq, another resident of Herat province, informed RASC that a majority of people in this province wear turbans, and the Taliban group has imposed an obligation on the populace to adhere to the cultural norm of wearing turbans. He asserts that the Taliban group mandates the use of turbans or Kandahari hats in all government offices, and deviating from this cultural norm will result in unpleasant consequences for the transgressor.
Mohammad Farooq, a turban-selling shopkeeper in Herat province, informed RASC that the sales of turbans have surged by 90% in proportion to the norms of the Republic era. He states that currently, out of 100 people, 80 to 90 individuals are expected to possess turbans, and not having a turban is viewed as intimidating by those affiliated with the Taliban. According to him, he sells seven to twenty turbans daily, with the majority of buyers being rural residents. Additionally, Feroz Karimi, a civil activist in Herat province, conveyed to RASC that the tradition of wearing turbans has a long history among the indigenous people of Afghanistan. Having a turban should not be confined to the mandates of the Taliban; individuals should wear it based on personal preferences.
He adds that wearing a turban is optional, and individuals, based on their preferences, can either revive the ancient culture of their forefathers by wearing turbans or headscarves or choose not to wear them. It is not a law that must be enforced. These statements arise as Taliban authorities express contentment with various segments of society, especially young people, wearing turbans or headscarves in Afghanistan. It’s worth mentioning that many individuals who currently wear turbans or headscarves in Afghanistan used to wear neckties and cravats until recently. It’s noteworthy that over time, human thinking has evolved, creating a field of benefit for them.
