Home / War and Conflict / Afghan Museum: Faces Erased Under Taliban Rule
Afghan Museum: Faces Erased Under Taliban Rule
22 Jan
Summary
- Figurines in Afghan museum have faces removed by Taliban decree.
- The Jihad Museum in Herat celebrates resistance against Soviet forces.
- Taliban's strict interpretation bans depictions of living beings.
The Jihad Museum in Herat, Afghanistan, a tribute to the resistance against Soviet forces, has undergone significant changes. Originally opened in 2010, its displays featured plaster figurines of men and women actively participating in the struggle. These detailed figures, created by Herat University academics, once showed expressive faces.
However, following the Taliban's return to power in 2021 and their strict interpretation of Islamic law, these facial features have been removed. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has mandated the gradual application of a nationwide ban on depictions of living things.
This alteration has made the exhibits feel less personal to visitors like Saaduddeen, who fought in the Soviet-Afghan War. While the museum's exterior still houses remnants of war, such as Soviet fighter jets and tanks, internal galleries have also been modified, with a hall of fame for mujahideen commanders reportedly removed. Families are largely absent due to restrictions on women's entry, impacting the museum's ability to fully convey its historical significance.
