Afghanistan makes five times prayers 'mandatory' for government employees

The Afghanistan government has issued a new decree making it compulsory for its employees to pray five times a day or "face punishment".

According to Afghan media, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered all civil servants to attend the mosque for daily prayers without exception.

The warning letter stated that employees must participate in congregational prayers, and those who fail to do so will face punishment.

“The officials of the ministries and institutions of the (Taliban government) are obliged by Sharia to pray in congregation at their fixed times,” said the order signed by Akhundzada.

The Taliban leader has instructed the relevant ministry to enforce penalties in accordance with Hanafi jurisprudence.

"[...] employees who miss a prayer without a reasonable excuse should receive a warning, and if they repeat the transgression the relevant official is obliged to appropriately punish him”.

Since the 2021 Taliban takeover, Akhundzada has imposed several restrictions on society, including shutting women and girls out of modern education, ordering male chaperones for females, and effectively banning music.