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KHAR, Pakistan - Suspected Islamic radicals have issued a Taliban-style warning to barbers in a Pakistani border town not to shave off or cut their customers’ beards, saying it offends Islam, residents said Monday.
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Pamphlets with the warnings were found at several shops in Inayat Kalay in Pakistan’s Bajur tribal region near the Afghan border, said Bacha Khan, a barber in the market town.
“Barbers! Correct yourselves,” said the handwritten, Pashto-language notes, one of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
“Any barber shop where acts against Shariah (Islamic law) — shaving or cutting of beards — are seen, are given a final warning to stop this anti-Shariah work and if they do not stop, they should take responsibility for whatever harm they come to,” it said.
The pamphlets were unsigned. However, Khan said he believed the warnings were from mujahedeen, or holy warriors — a term often used to describe Islamic militants.
He said two dozen barbers had responded by posting notices in their shops asking customers not to insist on getting a shave.
“We do not want to come to harm,” Khan said. “If this work is against Shariah, we will stop it.”
The warning echoed a decree issued under Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban regime ordering all men to grow beards, and it could reinforce concern that Pakistan’s border areas are undergoing a “Talibanization” because of the presence of militants and radical preachers.
Security officials say Taliban and other militants suspected of attacks on Afghan and foreign troops on the other side of the border are active in Bajur.
Many Taliban fled to Pakistan when U.S.-led forces drove them out of Afghanistan in 2001-02. Before their ouster, Taliban vice squads roamed the streets and beat those suspected of trimming their beard. The Taliban’s harsh interpretation of Islam saw them also ban women and girls from work and school and outlaw activities such as kite-flying and chess.
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I’m sorry I copied the entire page but this is crazy! What stupid thing is next?
A little imagination here. A Packistan barber shop and a Taliban terrorist saying the barber is going to die if he cuts of a beard. For heaven’s sake.
And why is it against Islam for women and girls to fly kites and play chess? Are lslamic men THAT stupid?
What part of “What is wrong with this picture (details below) did you NOT understand? I think the question is clear. I said I was sorry I copied and pasted the whole story but there several things that I am wondering what is going on in the Taliban terrorists little collective brain. Does anyone know or are we stuck with “Duuhed!” again?
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