Taliban Arrest Four Men for Dressing as Peaky Blinders Characters

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have detained at least four men for dressing as characters from the British crime drama series, Peaky Blinders. The arrests occurred in the western province of Herat and were described as a violation of “Islamic values.” The men, all in their early twenties, have been transferred to a rehabilitation centre, according to Taliban officials.

The incident gained significant attention on social media, with videos and photographs of the group, dubbed the “Shelby family,” going viral. The footage shows the men wearing sharp suits, waistcoats, flat caps, and overcoats, while appearing stoically as they walked in the streets and smoked cigar-like cigarettes. Their portrayal was reminiscent of characters from the series, which is set in Birmingham, UK, during the aftermath of the First World War.

The Taliban justified the arrests by stating that the men were promoting foreign culture. Taliban spokesperson Saif Khyber emphasized that the group aims to uphold what they consider true Afghan culture and Islamic values. “A programme for their correction has begun. We, praise be to God, are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture and values,” he stated. Khyber added that the Taliban has made sacrifices to protect Afghanistan from what they view as corrupt foreign influences.

The men were reportedly coerced into issuing apologies for their actions, expressing remorse after receiving “necessary guidance.” However, the conditions under which these apologies were made remain unclear.

The Taliban’s recent actions reflect their strict adherence to a hardline interpretation of Sharia law, which has led to severe restrictions on personal freedoms. They have mandated that Afghan men wear traditional clothing, specifically the salwar kameez, along with a hat or turban, while banning Western attire such as T-shirts and trousers. Additionally, the regime has imposed bans on education for girls and women and has prohibited entertainment forms like music and television, citing them as forbidden under their interpretation of Islamic law.

The current regime has been compared to the Taliban’s rule in the 1990s, a time characterized by stringent human rights violations. Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has faced significant international isolation, with no formal recognition from global entities despite more than two years in power.

Before their arrests, the detained individuals expressed their intentions to promote Afghan culture through clothing. One of them, Asghar Hussaini, who dressed as the main character Tommy Shelby, stated, “We want to go to all provinces of Afghanistan and showcase the culture and different types of clothing in Afghanistan in future globally.”

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the Taliban’s rigid cultural policies and the aspirations of Afghan youth to express themselves creatively and culturally.