The team received a letter from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. This is a recently reinstated government office. Its sole purpose seems to be purging and punishing women who are not subservient.
“The handball women’s sports team of Herat is warned to give up exercise and must not do further operations,” cautions the handwritten letter on official Islamic Emirate letterhead. “If this act is repeated, by the Mujahadeen of the Islamic Emirate, you will be severely punished according to Shariah.”
According to Akif Muhajer, the newly appointed head of the Ministry, “women’s sports do not have a place in Afghan society.”
