Herat, Afghanistan — In a controversial move highlighting the Taliban’s strict enforcement of cultural and religious norms, four Afghan men were detained for dressing as characters from the popular British TV series Peaky Blinders. The men, all in their early 20s, were sent to a Taliban-run rehabilitation program for allegedly promoting foreign culture and violating Islamic values.

The Viral Peaky Blinders Videos

Videos and photos of the four men, styled as the Shelby family from Peaky Blinders, went viral on Afghan social media, amassing millions of views. In the clips, the men are seen wearing sharp suits, waistcoats, overcoats, and flat caps, with stoic expressions as they walk through Herat’s Jebrael township. Some of the videos also show the men smoking cigar-like cigarettes, emulating the series’ characters.

Peaky Blinders is a British historical crime drama set in Birmingham after World War I, featuring actors such as Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby), Helen McCrory (Polly Gray), and Sophie Rundle (Ada Shelby).

Taliban’s Response

The Taliban Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that the men were arrested for “promoting foreign culture” and imitating foreign film actors. Ministry spokesperson Saif Khyber said:

“We are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture, and values. We have saved this country from the spread of corrupt cultures through great sacrifices, and now we will defend it as well.”

The ministry added that the men’s behavior was inconsistent with Afghan cultural norms and Islamic values. They were instructed to issue an apology after receiving “necessary guidance” during their rehabilitation.

Dress Codes and Cultural Enforcement

The incident comes amid the Taliban’s broader effort to enforce strict dress codes for Afghan men, including mandatory long beards and traditional clothing like salwar kameez with a hat or turban. Western-style clothing such as T-shirts and pants is discouraged.

These measures are part of a broader enforcement of the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law, which also restricts women’s education, bans music, television, and other forms of entertainment, and limits personal freedoms in Afghan society. Observers note that these policies mirror the Taliban’s first term in power during the 1990s.

Men Speak Out

Before their arrests, the men expressed a desire to showcase classic styles and clothing to the Afghan public. Asghar Hussaini, who dressed as the character Tommy Shelby, stated:

“We want to go to all provinces of Afghanistan and showcase the culture and different types of clothing in Afghanistan in the future globally.”

Despite their intentions, the men’s efforts to introduce international pop culture to Afghanistan clashed with the Taliban’s strict cultural policies, resulting in their brief detention and rehabilitation.