According to a clothing seller in Kabul, the morality police in Afghanistan have instructed stores to cover mannequins’ faces and remove photographs of models. The 22-year-old seller noted that while this makes the displays look less appealing, it does not impact sales.

Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, they have enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, including a ban on depicting human faces. The seller, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, explained that the environment must adhere to Islamic principles.

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Women’s evening dresses, available in vibrant colors and adorned with sequins, often feature exposed shoulders or plunging necklines. These dresses are intended for private events like gender-segregated weddings or engagement parties.

The heads of mannequins displaying these dresses are covered with plastic, foil, or black bags. The seller speculated that future regulations might also require covering the mannequins’ arms.

Other stores offer traditional Afghan wedding dresses with full skirts and detailed embroidery. The Taliban has mandated that women must be fully covered in public, with women seen in Kabul’s shopping district wearing abayas and medical masks.

Since the face depiction ban was implemented in January 2022, religious police in Herat initially removed mannequin heads. This rule is now enforced nationwide by teams from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, who frequently inspect Kabul stores.

At a multi-story shopping center in Kabul, mannequin heads are now predominantly covered with plastic bags or foil.

Popalzai, a shopkeeper using a pseudonym, explained that in some areas, the “Vice and Virtue” team visits on specific days, leading shopkeepers to cover and then uncover mannequin faces as needed. In his area, however, a team of three to six officials inspects stores two to three times a week.

He noted that these inspectors are more lenient compared to the past, recalling the stricter enforcement during the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001.

At his store entrance, male mannequins dressed in Western attire such as jeans and three-piece suits—styles discouraged by the Taliban—are all hooded, with one even wearing sunglasses. Despite the unsettling appearance of these headless mannequins, both customers and shopkeepers appear unfazed.

One shopkeeper remarked that there are more pressing issues, such as the harsh economic conditions and restrictions on women’s education and employment.

He added, “This is not very important for Afghan people. We adapt and make do with it.”