Friday, Oct. 26 - Day in the Life under Taliban Rule

We, as a class, have chosen to spend a day living under the same restrictions as imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan during 1996-2001.  The purpose of this is to be able to identify with those who lived under Taliban rule (men and women) and in a small way, experience the kind of discrimination and violation of human rights that took place.  Below are a list of rules that we have committed to living by.  Women are to dress as we discussed in class (long skirts, tights, socks, quiet shoes, long sleeved shirts, hijab (I will have some scarves available), men are to wear black pants (I will provide the Islamic Tunic).

Taliban Rules

1.      Women are not allowed to wear jewelry, make-up, nail polish, or fancy clothing of any kind

2.      Women must wear thick clothing (so as to not see-through it).

3.      Women cannot wear narrow or tight clothing.

4.      Women can only have the skin of their hands and face showing.

5.      Women cannot wear clothing that resembles male clothing.

6.      Women’s shoes must be quiet and plain.

7.      Women’s clothing cannot make noise

8.      Women cannot walk in the middle of hallways or streets.

9.      Women cannot go anywhere without a male escort from their classroom.

10.  Women cannot talk to any other male without a male escort from their classroom.

11.  Women are not permitted to laugh.

12.  Women must talk in a quiet and low voice, and talk only when necessary.

13.  Women cannot look at anyone outside their classroom in the eye.

14.  Men must have a beard.

15.  Men must wear black pants and an Islamic tunic.

16.  Men may be recruited as soldiers for the Taliban.

17.  Men must wear turbans. *Turbans DO NOT mean terrorist but are simply a piece of Islamic clothing.

18.  Everyone must have and use an Islamic Name.

19.  Non-religious music, books, movies, videogames, and television are illegal.

20.  Everyone must be in the classroom and participate in “Calls to Prayer”.