Khaled Hosseini is the author of one of my favorite books, The Kite Runner and my newest favorite, A Thousand Splendid Suns. This novel is the story of 2 women growing up in Afghanistan; the country lived under the rule of a monarch, communists, warlords, and the Taliban.
The following is Hosseini's description of the Taliban's rules:
(this is not the exact wording from the novel--it's paraphrased)
All citizens must pray 5 times a day. If it is prayer time and you are caught doing something other, you will be beaten.
All men will grow their beards. If you do not abide by this, you will be beaten.
All boys will wear turbans. They will be color-coded by age.
Singing is forbidden.
Dancing is forbidden.
Playing cards, chess, gambling, and kite flying are forbidden.
Writing books, watching films, and painting pictures are forbidden.
If you steal, your hand will be cut off at the wrist. Steal again , your foot will be cut off.
If you are not Muslim, do not worship where you can be seen by Muslims.
Attention women:
You will stay inside your homes at all times. It is not proper for women to wander aimlessly about the street. If you go outside, you must be accompanied by a male relative.
You will not show your face.
Cosmetics are forbidden.
Jewelry is forbidden.
You will not wear charming clothes.
You will not speak unless spoken to.
You will not make eye contact with men.
You will not laugh in public.
You will not paint your nails. If you do, you will lose a finger.
Girls are forbidden from attending school.
Women are forbidden from working.
If you commit adultery, you will be stoned to death.
I want to cry...
