A large Halloween gathering attended by the LGBT community was disrupted by Islamic religious police in Malaysia, who then detained 20 people for allegedly inciting vice and cross-dressing, activists claimed on Sunday.

The raid in Kuala Lumpur&nbsp;was described as "traumatising and harrowing" by activist Numan Afifi, who was one of those detained at the event.

"About 40 religious officers backed by the police came into the venue with some 1,000 participants, and they stopped the music and dance," he told AFP.

Numan said authorities divided party-goers into two groups -- Muslims and followers of other faiths.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lizzo-faces-backlash-for-dressing-up-as-chrisean-rock-for-halloween-529554">Lizzo faces backlash for dressing up as Chrisean Rock for Halloween</a>

Subsequently, 20 Muslims were taken to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department where "our identity details were recorded".

"Some were alleged to have committed offences under cross-dressing while others, including me, for encouraging vice," Numan said.&nbsp;

The 20 were all released a short while afterwards, but they are all expected back for questioning the following week.

The Muslim-majority nation's once-proud image for moderation and tolerance has been eroded by conservative sentiments, which have resulted in ongoing discrimination against the LGBT community.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-around-50-suffer-cardiac-arrest-in-halloween-street-crush-529482">South Korea declares national mourning after 152 killed in Seoul Halloween stampede</a>

In Malaysia, which has a dual-track judicial system, disputes that involve Muslims, who make up around 60% of the population, are sometimes heard in sharia courts.

Although it is illegal to be homosexual, laws that make sodomy a crime can result in fines, jail time, and other forms of physical punishment. However, these laws are rarely enforced.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A large Halloween gathering attended by the LGBT community was disrupted by Islamic religious police in Malaysia, who then detained 20 people for allegedly inciting vice and cross-dressing, activists claimed on Sunday.

A large Halloween gathering attended by the LGBT community was disrupted by Islamic religious police in Malaysia, who then detained 20 people for allegedly inciting vice and cross-dressing, activists claimed on Sunday. The raid in Kuala Lumpur was described as "traumatising and harrowing" by activist Numan Afifi, who was one of those detained at the event. "About 40 religious officers backed by the police came into the venue with some 1,000 participants, and they stopped the music and dance," he told AFP. Numan said authorities divided party-goers into two groups -- Muslims and followers of other faiths. Also read | Lizzo faces backlash for dressing up as Chrisean Rock for Halloween Subsequently, 20 Muslims were taken to the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department where "our identity details were recorded". "Some were alleged to have committed offences under cross-dressing while others, including me, for encouraging vice," Numan said. The 20 were all released a short while afterwards, but they are all expected back for questioning the following week. The Muslim-majority nation's once-proud image for moderation and tolerance has been eroded by conservative sentiments, which have resulted in ongoing discrimination against the LGBT community. Also read | South Korea declares national mourning after 152 killed in Seoul Halloween stampede In Malaysia, which has a dual-track judicial system, disputes that involve Muslims, who make up around 60% of the population, are sometimes heard in sharia courts. Although it is illegal to be homosexual, laws that make sodomy a crime can result in fines, jail time, and other forms of physical punishment. However, these laws are rarely enforced. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Malaysian authorities raid LGBT Halloween party; detain attendees for cross-dressing

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits.

He recalled working in a barbershop as a child under Taliban rule. "I remember the Taliban religious police would every day bring young men for their hair to be shaven off as a punishment, because they dared to style it," he says, his own hair long and tied back with a bow.&nbsp;

Today it is a different story, and The Saloon -- one of many such beauty parlours that have sprung up in urban Afghanistan since the Taliban were deposed in 2001 -- buzzes with trendy customers seeking the latest Western styles while loud pop music plays in the background.

Afghanistan's estimated 35 million people are overwhelmingly young, with nearly two-thirds of the population under the age of 25. Millions have grown up in cities swollen by refugees during the years of fighting.&nbsp;

Zabihullah is part of this urban generation -- journalists and activists, models, hairstylists and social media stars -- who have come of age alienated from Taliban rule and ideology.&nbsp;

But as talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, they face the prospect of a peace which could hand the militants some semblance of power in Afghanistan -- and they are afraid.

"I don't want a peace where I would lose my freedoms," Zabihullah says.

Forgiving atrocities&nbsp;

Youth activist Mohammad Anil Qasemi was a student at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul when the Taliban attacked the campus in 2016.

One militant threw a hand grenade in his classroom, killing many of his peers. The blast wave threw him out of the second-floor window. He survived, but with serious head, stomach and leg wounds.

Now, as he watches the progression of talks between Washington and the Taliban in Doha, he fears his generation will not have a say in what comes next.&nbsp;

"I am prepared to forgive the Taliban for what they did to me and my classmates... but I can't bargain on the freedom and achievements of my generation," he told AFP.

The stance of young urbanites like Qasemi and Zabihullah contrasts with some of the older generation, who have simply lived through more years of war -- Afghanistan has seen nearly constant conflict since the Soviet invasion of 1979 -- and crave any respite.

"I am prepared to grow back my beard, as the Taliban wants," says 50-year-old Haji Ahmad Shah, a customer in a Kabul shopping mall.

"I have lost many friends and family in this war, I just want an end to it," he adds.

Then there is Afghanistan's rural-urban divide.

Some young people living in the countryside -- where deeply conservative, patriarchal traditions stand in stark contrast to the relative cosmopolitanism of places like Kabul -- appear more willing to accept Taliban restrictions to achieve peace.

Faridullah, a 23-year-old gardener in rural Kandahar, is relatively liberal, shaving his beard and listening to music.

If the Taliban come, he says, he may lose those freedoms -- "but it is okay, as I want security. For now I can't even go to my gardens, because they have been heavily mined."

Adapting for peace

The Taliban say they have moderated their stance on some social issues, though those living under their rule have told AFP otherwise.

The group has not spelled out what role it wants to play in Afghan governance and civil society, other than to say it wants an "Islamic system".&nbsp;

Young women, keenly aware of how their gender was banished behind doors and beneath burkas under Taliban rule, are among the most vocal in warning they will not compromise their rights.

"For the Taliban, seeing a woman presenter on TV is intolerable, and for me losing my freedom and rights as a woman is intolerable," said 21-year-old Diba, a newsreader for Afghanistan's Zan TV.

"I might have to leave the country or die of depression living under Taliban rule," she said.

But some urban youth say they are nonetheless willing to make peace at any price -- while hoping for the best.

Farshad, a 23-year-old salesman with a trendy fade haircut who works at a Kabul store selling Western suits and fedoras, said he was prepared to turn it into a shop selling traditional turbans if it meant an end to fighting.

"I just hope they don't touch my haircut," he says.

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits.

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits. He recalled working in a barbershop as a child under Taliban rule. "I remember the Taliban religious police would every day bring young men for their hair to be shaven off as a punishment, because they dared to style it," he says, his own hair long and tied back with a bow. Today it is a different story, and The Saloon -- one of many such beauty parlours that have sprung up in urban Afghanistan since the Taliban were deposed in 2001 -- buzzes with trendy customers seeking the latest Western styles while loud pop music plays in the background. Afghanistan's estimated 35 million people are overwhelmingly young, with nearly two-thirds of the population under the age of 25. Millions have grown up in cities swollen by refugees during the years of fighting. Zabihullah is part of this urban generation -- journalists and activists, models, hairstylists and social media stars -- who have come of age alienated from Taliban rule and ideology. But as talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, they face the prospect of a peace which could hand the militants some semblance of power in Afghanistan -- and they are afraid. "I don't want a peace where I would lose my freedoms," Zabihullah says. Forgiving atrocities Youth activist Mohammad Anil Qasemi was a student at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul when the Taliban attacked the campus in 2016. One militant threw a hand grenade in his classroom, killing many of his peers. The blast wave threw him out of the second-floor window. He survived, but with serious head, stomach and leg wounds. Now, as he watches the progression of talks between Washington and the Taliban in Doha, he fears his generation will not have a say in what comes next. "I am prepared to forgive the Taliban for what they did to me and my classmates... but I can't bargain on the freedom and achievements of my generation," he told AFP. The stance of young urbanites like Qasemi and Zabihullah contrasts with some of the older generation, who have simply lived through more years of war -- Afghanistan has seen nearly constant conflict since the Soviet invasion of 1979 -- and crave any respite. "I am prepared to grow back my beard, as the Taliban wants," says 50-year-old Haji Ahmad Shah, a customer in a Kabul shopping mall. "I have lost many friends and family in this war, I just want an end to it," he adds. Then there is Afghanistan's rural-urban divide. Some young people living in the countryside -- where deeply conservative, patriarchal traditions stand in stark contrast to the relative cosmopolitanism of places like Kabul -- appear more willing to accept Taliban restrictions to achieve peace. Faridullah, a 23-year-old gardener in rural Kandahar, is relatively liberal, shaving his beard and listening to music. If the Taliban come, he says, he may lose those freedoms -- "but it is okay, as I want security. For now I can't even go to my gardens, because they have been heavily mined." Adapting for peace The Taliban say they have moderated their stance on some social issues, though those living under their rule have told AFP otherwise. The group has not spelled out what role it wants to play in Afghan governance and civil society, other than to say it wants an "Islamic system". Young women, keenly aware of how their gender was banished behind doors and beneath burkas under Taliban rule, are among the most vocal in warning they will not compromise their rights. "For the Taliban, seeing a woman presenter on TV is intolerable, and for me losing my freedom and rights as a woman is intolerable," said 21-year-old Diba, a newsreader for Afghanistan's Zan TV. "I might have to leave the country or die of depression living under Taliban rule," she said. But some urban youth say they are nonetheless willing to make peace at any price -- while hoping for the best. Farshad, a 23-year-old salesman with a trendy fade haircut who works at a Kabul store selling Western suits and fedoras, said he was prepared to turn it into a shop selling traditional turbans if it meant an end to fighting. "I just hope they don't touch my haircut," he says.

Resist, forgive, submit? Afghan youth on hopes for peace

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