Pakistan Taliban leader gives beard warning: residents

AFP ^ | 05/05/08 | Staff

[forkinsocket]

KHAR, Pakistan (AFP) — A Pakistani Taliban leader has warned local tribesmen to grow beards within the next two months in accordance with Islamic teachings or face harsh punishment, residents said Monday.

The threat came amid an apparent increase in incidents of militants trying to enforce Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan's tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, where the new government is trying to make peace with hardliners.

"Men must grow beards and stop shaving within the next two months," residents quoted senior Taliban commander Maulvi Faqir Mohammad as telling dozens of people at a mosque in Khar, the main town in Bajaur tribal district.

Beards were mandatory under the harsh Taliban regime which ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 as part of a strict morality code that also made women wear the all-encompassing burka and outlawed music and other entertainment.

"It is un-Islamic to shave beards. Harsh punishments will be awarded to all violators," added Mohammad, the central vice chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Pakistan Taliban Movement) and also a Muslim cleric.

The group is an umbrella organisation of Taliban factions in Pakistan's tribal belt. Its leader, Baitullah Mehsud, has been accused of masterminding the slaying of former premier Benazir Bhutto in December.

Mohammad told a rally in March that Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and fugitive Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Omar were not enemies of Pakistan.

Suspected Islamic militants have been meting out vigilante justice in the tribal belt and targeting "un-Islamic" hair salons, music and video shops with explosive devices for the past few years.

But activities have increased in recent weeks amid a lull in military operations and fighting since a new government took power after defeating President Pervez Musharraf's allies in elections.

Last week Pakistani Taliban militants publicly executed an alleged criminal involved in kidnappings for ransom in Mohmand, another of the seven semi-autonomous tribal areas.

[forkinsocket]

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[goldstategop]

Wear a beard or by Allah, lose your head! You have been warned! That's the Taliban edition of Islam.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Republicus2001]

Long Hail to the Cult of Death. OBEY!

[Eurale]

What about Pakistani women?

[snarks_when_bored]

Pakistan Taliban leader gives beard warning: residents

The koran is just one more collection of excuses for vicious little tyrants to tell everybody else what to do.

[homeguard]

Why are we still allowing these idiots to share our planet?

[Constitutions Grandchild]

You know, I've just had another “Gracie Allen” idea. After living with two guys who are both dieting (at least that's what they call it. Fasting five out of seven days on one meal a day — one to diet down into his Brooks Brothers suits again and the other to hit the Marine’s idea of “fit”), I'm certain the trouble in the Middle East is hunger. I've never lived with two crabbier jerks in my life. I can't help but believe that sitting these poor Jihadists down to a decent meal three times a day with a few days of rest (i.e. no bombings today, Muhamar. no cutting off any heads today, Ahkbar, no beating the little woman, Ishmael), and you'd see their little faces brighten and there'd be peace in the valley.

After a month of the boys in our house lately, Jihadists are starting to look like pansies. As hot as they are both starting to look, I'm thinking there's something to fat, dumb and happy.

[muir_redwoods]

"Why are we still allowing these idiots to share our planet?"

We've made inquiries; no other planet wants them.

[IronJack]

Dear Maluvi:

I have a beard, but not on my face. It's on my butt. If you'd like, I can show it to you.

Allahu akhbar, dipstick.

[Popman]

I have a beard, but not on my face. It's on my butt. If you'd like, I can show it to you.

I'd be real careful about showing Maluvi your butt, remember these fellows think goats are acceptable mating partners and I'm sure your hairy butt would be a step up. :)