Summary of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing of Complaints’ Activities During the Past Week

Personnel (Muhtasibs) of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing of Complaints of IEA, within the framework of their religious responsibilities and in cooperation with Is/la/mic scholars, tribal elders, and various segments of society, carried out a range of activities during the past week aimed at strengthening Islamic values, maintaining social order, promoting virtue, and preventing vice.

Provincial Visits by the Minister

Sheikh Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, Minister of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice, and Hearing of Complaints, continued his provincial visits to the northern provinces. During his visits to Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Balkh, Samangan, Jawzjan, Faryab, Kunduz, and Sar-e Pol, he met with Islamic scholars, respected religious elders, tribal leaders, community representatives, local influential figures, and provincial officials. He emphasized the implementation of the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the elimination of harmful customs, and the strengthening of cooperation between scholars, community leaders, the public, and the ministry’s inspectors.

Addressing Women's Sharia-Based Rights

During the reporting period, the ministry addressed 101 cases related to women's Sharia-based rights. As a result, 47 cases of abuses (oppression) against women and 10 cases of forced marriage were prevented. In addition, 13 inheritance cases were reviewed, the dowry rights of 8 women were restored, 7 maintenance cases were addressed, arrangements were made for 11 lawful Islamic marriages, and 5 divorce cases were processed in accordance with Islamic law.

Resolution of Disputes and Conflicts

With the cooperation of Islamic scholars and community elders, the ministry’s inspectors successfully resolved 11 cases of longstanding hostility and 44 major and minor disputes among families and tribes in Kabul and several provinces, contributing to the strengthening of Islamic brotherhood and social cohesion.

Arrest of Individuals Accused of Sorcery

As part of efforts to safeguard Islamic beliefs and prevent practices considered contrary to Islamic law, 8 individuals accused of sorcery were detained in Parwan, Kabul, Balkh, and Samangan provinces. Following preliminary investigations, they were referred to the relevant judicial and legal authorities for further proceedings.

Economic and Market Oversight Meetings

To prevent hoarding, fraud in weights and measures, and to ensure compliance with Islamic principles in commercial transactions, ministry personnel held 173 reform, coordination, and supervisory meetings with traders, shopkeepers, and businesspeople across various provinces during the week. They also collected and destroyed nearly 8 metric tons of expired and substandard food products from local markets.