Taliban bans barbing salons from trimming beards, say it is against Islamic law

The Taliban have banned barbing salons in Afghanistan's Helmand province from shaving or trimming beards, saying it breaches their interpretation of Islamic law and that anyone caught violating the rule will be punished. 

Since taking over power last month in Afghanistan, the Taliban have carried out harsh punishments on opponents.  

On Saturday, 25th September, the group's fighters shot dead four alleged kidnappers and their bodies were hung in the streets of Herat province.

And now barbers in the capital Kabul have said they have been warned against trimming beards.

In a notice posted on salons in southern Helmand province, Taliban officers warned that hairdressers must follow Sharia law for haircuts and beards.