HERAT — Taliban have imposed a fine on men in the western province of Herat who do not attend daily congregational prayers at local mosques, according to residents familiar with the policy.
Eight local sources confirmed to Amu that the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has ordered mosque leaders to monitor attendance and impose a fine of 100 afghanis — roughly $1.15 — on individuals who miss daily prayers. The move is part of a broader expansion of religious and social enforcement across the city.
Residents said that Taliban patrols have stepped up monitoring of public spaces, marketplaces and transportation hubs, inspecting both men and women for adherence to dress codes and prayer obligations.
Taliban have not issued an official statement about the fines, and spokespeople have previously denied the use of coercive tactics by virtue enforcement officers.
Sources interviewed for this report spoke under pseudonyms or anonymously, citing concerns for their safety. They shared details via text and audio messages.
Women, in particular, have faced mounting restrictions. According to residents, those not wearing the full-body prayer gown and headscarf required by Taliban regulations are barred from walking freely in public and in some cases have been denied entry to government buildings.
In Herat’s bustling secondhand market, known as Bazar-e Lailami, morality police have reportedly carried out inspections while wielding whips, according to residents. Several said women dressed in coats or other non-approved coverings were not permitted to enter shopping centers such as Qasr-e Negine and Qasr-e Herat.
“Over the past few days, restrictions for women have intensified,” said one woman. “Even though we already wore long dresses and face masks, now we’re told we can’t leave the house without a prayer gown. Morality police blocked both sides of the Lailami road, even though it’s crowded ahead of Eid.”
Another resident described being stopped by Taliban officers while shopping with his wife. “They pulled our car over and warned me not to let my wife out again wearing a coat instead of a prayer gown,” he said. “They were checking taxis and rickshaws, not everywhere, but at certain checkpoints.”
The enforcement has extended to men. In several neighborhoods, Taliban members have reportedly distributed what locals are calling “mosque attendance lists” — used to track who participates in congregational prayers. One doctor said he is being fined daily despite his demanding work hours.
“I attend mosque when I can,” he said. “But if I miss evening or night prayers due to work, I’m fined 100 afghanis each time. The mosque’s congregation knows I’m a regular, but it doesn’t matter. There’s no one to appeal to.”
The policy has drawn criticism from rights activists, who say the Taliban’s implementation of a formal morality law last year has given enforcers broader latitude to impose religious norms — especially on women and girls.
Although Taliban officials continue to reject accusations of harsh enforcement, reports from Herat suggest a growing presence of morality patrols and escalating restrictions on daily life.
