In a recent directive, the Department of Interior in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, recognised as the birthplace of the Taliban, has instructed civil and military officials to abstain from capturing pictures or videos of "living things."
The directive, conveyed in a letter addressed to officials, emphasises the avoidance of images of humans and animals during both formal and informal gatherings, citing potential harm as a reason.
The authenticity of the directive was confirmed by a spokesperson for Kandahar's governor. While the letter allows for the dissemination of text or audio content related to officials' activities, it aligns with a broader sentiment in Islamic art that steers clear of depictions of living things, reflecting a cultural and religious aversion held by some Muslims, reported AFP.
The scope and enforcement mechanisms of this directive remain unclear. It raises questions about the extent to which officials will adhere to this guidance and how the order will be implemented. As of now, the Taliban government, which returned to power over two years ago, has not provided immediate clarification or comments on this directive.
During the previous Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, stringent restrictions were imposed, including a ban on television and images of living things. The current directive echoes aspects of this historical approach. Since their resurgence, media outlets in Afghanistan have, to varying degrees, refrained from using images of people and animals, reflecting a cautious approach in line with certain cultural sensitivities.
It's noteworthy that the directive comes in a period where official central government departments regularly share pictures of officials engaging with foreign dignitaries. This dynamic raises questions about potential divergences in the application of these guidelines at different levels of governance.
The directive is poised to influence the visual representation of officials in the region.