Taliban Bans Sale and Flying of Kites in Afghanistan’s Herat Province

Taliban Bans Sale and Flying of Kites in Afghanistan’s Herat Province
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Authorities of the Taliban in Afghanistan’s western Herat province have banned the sale and purchase of kites and related materials, as well as their use in public spaces, in the latest restrictions imposed on popular recreational activities in the country.

Aziz Rahman Muhajir, an official from the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat, said the decision was issued following what he described as repeated complaints from residents. He added that instructions had been given to officials to prevent the sale of kites and kite strings across the city.

Taliban authorities justified the measure by saying that kite flying and the use of kite strings had, in some cases, contributed to traffic accidents, disturbances and injuries among children.

The decision has drawn attention due to similarities with restrictions imposed during the Taliban’s first rule over Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, when kite flying was also banned despite being a widely practiced traditional pastime in Afghan society.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has introduced restrictions on various social activities, entertainment practices and games, with authorities citing security and social considerations for some of the measures.

The ban in Herat comes as the Taliban continues to enforce regulations affecting public life across Afghanistan, including social and recreational activities, while debate continues over the impact of such restrictions on daily life for citizens.