The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.

This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country.

<h2>Reasons cited for the ban</h2>

Minister Hanafi justified the ban by citing instances where women allegedly did not adhere to the hijab, a traditional Islamic dress code, while inside the park.

He called upon religious leaders and security agencies to enforce the prohibition until a resolution could be reached, reported the BBC.

It's important to note that Band-e-Amir holds great significance as Afghanistan's first national park, established in 2009.

This breathtaking natural wonder, characterised by a cluster of lakes with unique geological features, attracts numerous tourists, including families, making the ban a significant impediment to many who wish to experience its natural beauty.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-taliban-couldnt-silence-her-this-exiled-afghan-journo-is-changing-lives-one-story-at-a-time-623453">Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time</a>

<h2>Different perspectives on the ban</h2>

Minister Hanafi emphasised that visiting the park for sightseeing was not obligatory, as reported by Afghan agency Tolo News. Meanwhile, religious clerics in Bamiyan contended that the women who violated the hijab rules were not local residents but rather visitors from other regions. Sayed Nasrullah Waezi, the head of the Bamiyan Shia Ulema Council, highlighted this distinction.

<h2>International and local reactions</h2>

Internationally, the ban has garnered attention and condemnation. Former&nbsp;Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil expressed her discontent through a poem shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing hope for a future return. Fereshta Abbasi from Human Rights Watch criticised the ban, noting that it coincided with Women's Equality Day and viewed it as a blatant disrespect to Afghan women.

Also watch |&nbsp;What is it like to be a working woman&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan

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Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, raised a pertinent question: Why is restricting women from visiting Band-e-Amir necessary to comply with Sharia law and Afghan culture? He pointed out that the Taliban has a history of implementing temporary bans on women's activities, such as their earlier prohibition from attending schools in December 2022.

This ban on visiting Band-e-Amir National Park is just the latest addition to a growing list of restrictions imposed on Afghan women since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Notably, it follows recent directives that ordered the closure of hair and beauty salons and barred women from sitting for national university entrance exams.

&nbsp;

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The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province. This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country.

The Taliban government has imposed a ban on women entering the Band-e-Amir National Park located in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province. This decision, issued by Afghanistan's acting minister of virtue and vice, Mohammad Khaled Hanafi, has stirred controversy and raised questions about gender equality and freedom of movement in the country. Reasons cited for the ban Minister Hanafi justified the ban by citing instances where women allegedly did not adhere to the hijab, a traditional Islamic dress code, while inside the park. He called upon religious leaders and security agencies to enforce the prohibition until a resolution could be reached, reported the BBC. It's important to note that Band-e-Amir holds great significance as Afghanistan's first national park, established in 2009. This breathtaking natural wonder, characterised by a cluster of lakes with unique geological features, attracts numerous tourists, including families, making the ban a significant impediment to many who wish to experience its natural beauty. Also read | Exclusive | Taliban couldn’t silence her: This exiled Afghan journalist is changing lives, one story at a time Different perspectives on the ban Minister Hanafi emphasised that visiting the park for sightseeing was not obligatory, as reported by Afghan agency Tolo News. Meanwhile, religious clerics in Bamiyan contended that the women who violated the hijab rules were not local residents but rather visitors from other regions. Sayed Nasrullah Waezi, the head of the Bamiyan Shia Ulema Council, highlighted this distinction. International and local reactions Internationally, the ban has garnered attention and condemnation. Former Afghan MP Mariam Solaimankhil expressed her discontent through a poem shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing hope for a future return. Fereshta Abbasi from Human Rights Watch criticised the ban, noting that it coincided with Women's Equality Day and viewed it as a blatant disrespect to Afghan women. Also watch | What is it like to be a working woman in Afghanistan Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, raised a pertinent question: Why is restricting women from visiting Band-e-Amir necessary to comply with Sharia law and Afghan culture? He pointed out that the Taliban has a history of implementing temporary bans on women's activities, such as their earlier prohibition from attending schools in December 2022. This ban on visiting Band-e-Amir National Park is just the latest addition to a growing list of restrictions imposed on Afghan women since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Notably, it follows recent directives that ordered the closure of hair and beauty salons and barred women from sitting for national university entrance exams. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Afghanistan: Taliban impose ban on women's entry to famous Band-e-Amir National Park

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area.

The ruins at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan are believed to be of an ancient city situated on the Silk Route. The site was discovered in 1960 by French geologists.

But the ancient city is not just of historic value. It is sitting on what can perhaps be the biggest copper deposit in the world. The deposits are estimated to be worth USD 1 trillion.

China is keen on setting up copper extraction units and is reportedly lobbying hard with the Taliban regime for it.

The cash-strapped Taliban regime which was adamant about bombing the world's largest Budhha statues a couple decades ago is suddenly eager to preserve them, possibly in light of potential Chinese investment.

The Associated Press quoted Taliban official in charge of the security of the site as saying that preserving the Mes Aynak ruins is key to attracting billions of dollars in Chinese investments.

The Taliban is now reportedly exploring ways to extract copper without damaging the ancient Buddhist ruins.

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area.

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area. The ruins at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan are believed to be of an ancient city situated on the Silk Route. The site was discovered in 1960 by French geologists. But the ancient city is not just of historic value. It is sitting on what can perhaps be the biggest copper deposit in the world. The deposits are estimated to be worth USD 1 trillion. China is keen on setting up copper extraction units and is reportedly lobbying hard with the Taliban regime for it. The cash-strapped Taliban regime which was adamant about bombing the world's largest Budhha statues a couple decades ago is suddenly eager to preserve them, possibly in light of potential Chinese investment. The Associated Press quoted Taliban official in charge of the security of the site as saying that preserving the Mes Aynak ruins is key to attracting billions of dollars in Chinese investments. The Taliban is now reportedly exploring ways to extract copper without damaging the ancient Buddhist ruins.

'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money

The deep blue mountain lakes in the central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan have been a major hub of tourism, but with the return of the Taliban, few people are now mastering the courage to visit these sites of spectacular beauty.

The tourism industry hard hit in the central Bamiyan province of Afghanistan

The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan.

According to carbon dating of the Buddhas' structural components, the smaller 38 m (125 feet) "Eastern Buddha" was built around 570 AD, while the larger 55 m (180 feet) "Western Buddha" was built around 618 AD.

The location was a Buddhist pilgrimage place along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Europe.

Now that the Taliban have retaken control, the place has been opened to the public.

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According to an NBC News article published last week, interested travellers may pay the Taliban guards the equivalent of $5 at a ticket counter and stare at the empty holes where the Buddha statues formerly stood.&nbsp; 
 
According to NBC, one Afghan visitor came to the site not to grieve the monuments' loss, but to celebrate their demolition.&nbsp;

“I was young when these were destroyed, about 7 years old, and since then it has been a dream to come and see what happened here.I’m happy it was destroyed. I’m here to see the ruins actually,” he said.

The Taliban faced international pressure to preserve the sculptures when they revealed their plan to demolish them in 2001. 
 
Watch | Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by construction workers in Pakistan

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However, the extremists used large explosives to demolish the monuments, claiming that they were un-Islamic.

Despite a savage crackdown in some regions, the Taliban have attempted to show a more moderate face to the world since retaking control of the nation a few months ago.

International groups are pressuring the hard-line Islamic group to conserve Afghanistan's cultural legacy as it navigates the economic and security hurdles of managing the country after years of conflict.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan.

The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan. The Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan. According to carbon dating of the Buddhas' structural components, the smaller 38 m (125 feet) "Eastern Buddha" was built around 570 AD, while the larger 55 m (180 feet) "Western Buddha" was built around 618 AD. The location was a Buddhist pilgrimage place along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Europe. Now that the Taliban have retaken control, the place has been opened to the public. × According to an NBC News article published last week, interested travellers may pay the Taliban guards the equivalent of $5 at a ticket counter and stare at the empty holes where the Buddha statues formerly stood. According to NBC, one Afghan visitor came to the site not to grieve the monuments' loss, but to celebrate their demolition. “I was young when these were destroyed, about 7 years old, and since then it has been a dream to come and see what happened here.I’m happy it was destroyed. I’m here to see the ruins actually,” he said. The Taliban faced international pressure to preserve the sculptures when they revealed their plan to demolish them in 2001. Watch | Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by construction workers in Pakistan However, the extremists used large explosives to demolish the monuments, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Despite a savage crackdown in some regions, the Taliban have attempted to show a more moderate face to the world since retaking control of the nation a few months ago. International groups are pressuring the hard-line Islamic group to conserve Afghanistan's cultural legacy as it navigates the economic and security hurdles of managing the country after years of conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes

20 years back, the Taliban blew up the iconic Buddhas of Bamiyan. Today, their fighters stand guard at the same site. Will the wounds of the 2001 cultural genocide be reopened? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | The Taliban return to Bamiyan

A black and white Taliban flag flies over the blown-up statue of a revered Hazara chief at the entrance to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan.

Since the radical Islamists swept to power seven weeks ago they have repeatedly promised a more moderate, inclusive brand of rule than during their last stint, when minorities were brutally persecuted.

But members of the Hazara community here don't believe them.

"Everyone is terrified," says Najwa, a 26-year-old local journalist now out of work.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/military-bases-turn-into-small-cities-as-afghans-wait-months-for-homes-in-us-417873">Military bases turn into small cities as Afghans wait months for homes in US</a>

"It is impossible to believe them. For the Hazaras, and especially for us women, there is no more hope."

She and other Hazaras fled into the mountains when they first heard the Taliban were coming, but a week later they returned.

As a member of the Bamiyan Film Academy, Najwa could have been evacuated to France like many of her peers but, hidden in the wilderness, she missed a vital call.

"And now it is too late," she says.

- 'Abductions, murders' -

Afghanistan's new rulers have declared a general amnesty and promised reform.

But fears abound that they will repeat the brutal repression of minorities and women seen during their former reign from 1996 to 2001.

"We know that there have been abductions, murders," Najwa says.

The Hazara, who make up as much as a fifth of Afghanistan's around 38 million people, have been persecuted in the country for centuries.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-teachers-face-uncertain-future-after-taliban-bans-them-from-schools-417874">Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban bans them from schools</a>

They have suffered massacres during the rule of several Afghan governments in recent decades, but especially under the Taliban -- Sunni hardliners who see the mainly Shiite ethnic minority as heretics.

The Islamists have carried out several mass killings of Hazaras, including in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998, where Human Rights Watch says at least 2,000 mainly Hazara civilians were executed.

While nothing on that scale has been reported since the Taliban takeover on August 15, an Amnesty International investigation published this week found Taliban forces had killed 13 Hazaras, including nine surrendering former government soldiers, in Daykundi province on August 30, in what "appear to be war crimes".&nbsp;

- 'Not enemies' -

But Musa Nasrat, Bamiyan's acting governor and new chief of police, insists Hazaras have nothing to fear.

"It is true that in the beginning, people were afraid," he tells AFP, claiming that all those who initially fled had returned.

"We told them: 'Return to your normal life. We are here to protect you'," he says, insisting that "we are not enemies of the Shiites."

The Taliban's enemy, he says, was "the corrupt government" of ousted president Ashraf Ghani.

But now, "we have won. Peace will rein."

In a bid to reassure the Hazaras, the new rulers have made a Shiite, Mahdi Mujahid, the intelligence chief in Bamiyan province.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nearly-1000-taliban-militants-rally-in-kabul-to-show-power-and-unity-417860">Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity</a>

"My community has nothing to fear," he said, in his first statement on the job.

But more than words will be needed to calm the community's fears.

"We cannot trust them," says Abdul Danesh Yar, a 33-year-old private school principal.

"Our country's history is full of massacres and deportations of Hazaras."

Yar, like so many others here, says he feels betrayed by the United States and its allies over their hasty withdrawal in August after 20 years of fighting.

"We believed in their values, and they abandoned us," he says, adding that he would leave if he could, "for the future of my children."

The Taliban, he argues, "will never change." &nbsp;&nbsp;

- 'No one believes them' -

The Taliban's return to power has been a particular shock in Bamiyan, home to the famous giant, ancient Buddha statues that the Islamist group dynamited when it was last in power two decades ago.

The provincial capital was among the cities that received the most international assistance in the two decades that followed the Taliban's ouster.

Women here outnumbered men at the university, and they did sports like cycling and volleyball.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-islamic-state-cell-destroyed-after-mosque-attack-418068">Taliban say Islamic State cell destroyed after mosque attack</a>

Bamiyan also boasted the first woman governor in the country, Habiba Sarabi, who ruled here from 2005 to 2013. Today she lives in exile in Turkey.

"For now, they have not done bad things," says Abdulhaq Shafad, a 41-year-old local poet and member of a newly-created committee aimed at "solving problems" with the Taliban.

But he warns that the situation could quickly deteriorate if countries begin recognising the Taliban leadership.

"The future is unpredictable," he warns.

At the entrance to the city, Rajabali Sahebzadah's potato fields are a stone's throw from the ruins of the statue commemorating Abdul Ali Mazari, a Hazara leader and prominent anti-Taliban fighter anointed as a martyr long after he died in Taliban captivity in 1995.

It was blown up three days after the former insurgents seized control of Afghanistan, leaving a scattering of white rubble.

The Taliban have denied destroying the statue, the 25-year-old farmer says. "No one believes them." 
&nbsp;

A black and white Taliban flag flies over the blown-up statue of a revered Hazara chief at the entrance to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. Since the radical Islamists swept to power seven weeks ago they have repeatedly promised a more moderate, inclusive brand of rule than during their last stint, when minorities were brutally persecuted.

A black and white Taliban flag flies over the blown-up statue of a revered Hazara chief at the entrance to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. Since the radical Islamists swept to power seven weeks ago they have repeatedly promised a more moderate, inclusive brand of rule than during their last stint, when minorities were brutally persecuted. But members of the Hazara community here don't believe them. "Everyone is terrified," says Najwa, a 26-year-old local journalist now out of work. Also Read | Military bases turn into small cities as Afghans wait months for homes in US "It is impossible to believe them. For the Hazaras, and especially for us women, there is no more hope." She and other Hazaras fled into the mountains when they first heard the Taliban were coming, but a week later they returned. As a member of the Bamiyan Film Academy, Najwa could have been evacuated to France like many of her peers but, hidden in the wilderness, she missed a vital call. "And now it is too late," she says. - 'Abductions, murders' - Afghanistan's new rulers have declared a general amnesty and promised reform. But fears abound that they will repeat the brutal repression of minorities and women seen during their former reign from 1996 to 2001. "We know that there have been abductions, murders," Najwa says. The Hazara, who make up as much as a fifth of Afghanistan's around 38 million people, have been persecuted in the country for centuries. Also Read | Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban bans them from schools They have suffered massacres during the rule of several Afghan governments in recent decades, but especially under the Taliban -- Sunni hardliners who see the mainly Shiite ethnic minority as heretics. The Islamists have carried out several mass killings of Hazaras, including in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998, where Human Rights Watch says at least 2,000 mainly Hazara civilians were executed. While nothing on that scale has been reported since the Taliban takeover on August 15, an Amnesty International investigation published this week found Taliban forces had killed 13 Hazaras, including nine surrendering former government soldiers, in Daykundi province on August 30, in what "appear to be war crimes". - 'Not enemies' - But Musa Nasrat, Bamiyan's acting governor and new chief of police, insists Hazaras have nothing to fear. "It is true that in the beginning, people were afraid," he tells AFP, claiming that all those who initially fled had returned. "We told them: 'Return to your normal life. We are here to protect you'," he says, insisting that "we are not enemies of the Shiites." The Taliban's enemy, he says, was "the corrupt government" of ousted president Ashraf Ghani. But now, "we have won. Peace will rein." In a bid to reassure the Hazaras, the new rulers have made a Shiite, Mahdi Mujahid, the intelligence chief in Bamiyan province. Also Read | Nearly 1,000 Taliban militants rally in Kabul to show power and unity "My community has nothing to fear," he said, in his first statement on the job. But more than words will be needed to calm the community's fears. "We cannot trust them," says Abdul Danesh Yar, a 33-year-old private school principal. "Our country's history is full of massacres and deportations of Hazaras." Yar, like so many others here, says he feels betrayed by the United States and its allies over their hasty withdrawal in August after 20 years of fighting. "We believed in their values, and they abandoned us," he says, adding that he would leave if he could, "for the future of my children." The Taliban, he argues, "will never change." - 'No one believes them' - The Taliban's return to power has been a particular shock in Bamiyan, home to the famous giant, ancient Buddha statues that the Islamist group dynamited when it was last in power two decades ago. The provincial capital was among the cities that received the most international assistance in the two decades that followed the Taliban's ouster. Women here outnumbered men at the university, and they did sports like cycling and volleyball. Also Read | Taliban say Islamic State cell destroyed after mosque attack Bamiyan also boasted the first woman governor in the country, Habiba Sarabi, who ruled here from 2005 to 2013. Today she lives in exile in Turkey. "For now, they have not done bad things," says Abdulhaq Shafad, a 41-year-old local poet and member of a newly-created committee aimed at "solving problems" with the Taliban. But he warns that the situation could quickly deteriorate if countries begin recognising the Taliban leadership. "The future is unpredictable," he warns. At the entrance to the city, Rajabali Sahebzadah's potato fields are a stone's throw from the ruins of the statue commemorating Abdul Ali Mazari, a Hazara leader and prominent anti-Taliban fighter anointed as a martyr long after he died in Taliban captivity in 1995. It was blown up three days after the former insurgents seized control of Afghanistan, leaving a scattering of white rubble. The Taliban have denied destroying the statue, the 25-year-old farmer says. "No one believes them."

'No more hope': Afghan Hazaras live in fear under Taliban rule

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