Saturday, April 11, 2009
Pakistan - The Taliban forbid men to shave their beards and women to go out without male chaperon, by Francis Chartrand
ITN, April 11, Khar / PESHAWAR: The Taliban announced Friday the implementation of Sharia in Bajaur and forbids women to go out without a male relative and men to shave the beard. They also warned the public not to rely on the Program Benazir income support (BISp).
The announcement was made by Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, the Taliban leader in Bajaur, in his 40-minute broadcast by the radio station FM illegal group. Faqir, who is deputy chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) headed by Baitullah Mehsud, is aimed at members of the tribe on the FM radio on weekly basis. He said that he and his men will make every effort to strictly enforce Islamic law in the region.
The Taliban have established a force called "Task Force" to ensure compliance with the Shariah and to punish offenders. Faqir warned that shaving the beard and made to walk without head covering were the customs of the Jews and their followers that it would not in Bajaur.
Those who listened to his speech on the radio told The News by telephone that the tone of the commander was aggressive and he had given instructions to his Task Force to take immediate action against men who shave the beard.
Faqir said he would not allow the use of BISp and "deceive" the single women of the tribal region. He said that the task of preparing the list of people supporting BISp and other NGOs had already been initiated. Faqir said that the Task Force will soon lead them to a Shariah court. It also forbids women to leave their homes and to acquire a National Identity cards (CNIC), which is required to obtain financial benefits from the BISp.
The commander said that those found guilty of supporting BISp or to obtain monetary benefits will be punished according to sharia, which imposes a minimum fine of Rs 10,000.
He admitted that the Taliban had arrested more than a dozen people who belong to the JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rahman and the PPP, which will be treated in accordance with sharia. Meanwhile, unknown assailants have beheaded the leader of the ANP and chairman of the local merchants, Mohammad Islam Khan, near his home in the subdivision of Nawagai.
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Labels: Francis Chartrand, Islam, Pakistan, Religion and fanaticism
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 9:07 AM 
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