[Today's Prayer] Afghan Taliban take action to close hair salons... Accelerated oppression of women

The Taliban, the ruling force in Afghanistan, which is severely restricting women's external activities, has even closed down beauty salons used by women.

According to the Associated Press and AFP on the 5th (local time), the Taliban Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on the 24th of last month to close hair salons in all regions of the country, including the capital Kabul, within one month and submit a report of closure.

The Taliban said the letter was based on a verbal order from Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, but did not explain why the salons had to be closed.

In Afghanistan, where women's activities are very limited, beauty salons are public places where women can gather relatively freely and are a place of livelihood for some

In response to this action, the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed concern on Twitter that "new restrictions on women's rights will have a negative impact on the economy." They also stated that they are working with Afghan authorities to revoke the order.

In Afghanistan, the intensity of oppression on women has been escalating since the Taliban took power again in August 2021.

Women are obliged to wear clothing that cover their faces, and cannot travel alone without male relatives. Parks, amusement parks, gyms, and public baths are prohibited, and women's education is prohibited in middle, high schools, and universities.

Many women lost their jobs as they were also banned from working in non-governmental organizations such as the United Nations.

Source: Yonhap News https://n.news.naver.com/article/001/0014047645?sid=104

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

Heavenly Father who loves Afghanistan.

In the midst of the Taliban's control over Afghanistan, where women's external activities have become very difficult, we hear that even beauty salons, a place where women gather and a means of livelihood, are being closed.

Lord, we desire for you to have mercy on the Afghan women who have no freedom in anything, including education, jobs, clothing, and transportation.

May all the lies of Islam flee and may you rule over the land with sincere truth and love.

Above all, may the savior, Jesus Christ, be the bridegroom of the Afghan women who are suffering under the oppression of Islam.

Help them to confess that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, and live with the eternal hope of Heaven.

Thus, let the Afghan women rise up as the king's army to pray and serve the land of Afghanistan with the authority of the key of heaven.

May the Korean church and the global churches unite toegther to pray for this work to be fulfilled.

May Jesus Christ, who has broken all darkness with holy love, alone be exalted.