Taliban Prohibits Women from Being Heard by Other Women: 'A Form of Mental Torture'

Human rights activists warn that women could be banned from having conversations with one another after the Taliban declared that women's voices are "awrah," a term in Islam that designates what should be concealed. (Credit: AFP)

Human rights activists are warning that women could be banned from having conversations with one another in Afghanistan after the Taliban declared they should not be heard speaking by other women.

In a voice message broadcasted Monday, minister Khalid Hanafi said: "When women are not permitted to call takbir or athan (Islamic call to prayer), they certainly cannot sing songs or [make] music. How could they be allowed to sing if they aren't even permitted to hear [each other's] voices while praying, let alone for anything else," according to The Telegraph.