When most people think of weddings, they imagine a joyous event where family and friends gather together to celebrate the union of two individuals.
However, a recent wedding in northern Kabul, hosted by the Taliban, painted a drastically different picture.
One western visitor, adventurer Miles Routledge, was granted rare access to the event and documented his experience, which offered a glimpse into the deeply segregated and regressive nature of Taliban-led weddings.
The Separated Celebrations at the Uranus Wedding Palace
The wedding took place at the Uranus Wedding Palace, a large venue in Kabul, where thousands attended, but with a clear separation of men and women.
According to Routledge, the massive hall was filled with men sitting at dozens of tables, while all the women were confined to a separate, equally sized venue next door.
This stark segregation was one of the many signs of how the Taliban’s stringent policies have reshaped Afghan society, particularly in terms of gender roles.
A Non-Traditional Nikah Ceremony
In a typical Islamic wedding, both the bride and groom are present to sign the nikah, the formal marriage contract.
However, the Taliban’s approach to this ceremony was anything but traditional.
The bride was noticeably absent from the nikah, and instead, male family members from both sides represented her in the signing of the contract.
This further highlighted the Taliban’s backward stance on women’s rights, which has been increasingly restrictive since they took control of Afghanistan again in 2021.
Opulence Amidst Repression
Despite the severe restrictions on women and girls under the Taliban’s rule, the wedding itself was marked by lavishness.
The groom received two flower-decorated cars, and the men in attendance enjoyed a luxurious feast with golden ornaments throughout the dining area.
A traditional Afghan dish, mantu—dumplings filled with meat, onions, and spices—was served alongside rice and meat.
For dessert, guests were treated to a can of Pepsi.
Guests also enjoyed henna tattoos and the sight of white confetti showered over the groom as he sat alone at the head of the table.
Yet, despite these outwardly celebratory moments, the deep-seated inequality and repression were unmistakable.
The Growing Crisis for Afghan Women Under the Taliban
Since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, Afghan women have increasingly been pushed to the margins of society.
The United Nations has condemned the regime’s actions, labeling them as “gender apartheid.”
Women have been banned from attending secondary school and university, restricted from working, and even barred from public parks and other spaces.
In a particularly troubling move, the Taliban outlawed women from hearing other women’s voices in public, fueling fears that even casual conversations between women could become a punishable act.
A Bleak Outlook for Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
Despite hopes that the Taliban might eventually ease their harsh policies, the situation for women in Afghanistan continues to worsen.
While girls under 12 can still attend school, the number of those denied education has increased significantly, according to UNESCO.
Many still hold out hope for change, but the Taliban’s continued crackdown on rights and their brutal punishments for so-called “moral crimes” suggest that any significant shift is unlikely in the near future.
A Harsh and Unyielding Regime
Routledge’s experience at the wedding serves as a stark reminder of the harsh reality Afghan women face under Taliban rule.
With the world watching, the regime’s authoritarian stance seems unlikely to change, leaving women in Afghanistan with fewer freedoms and greater repression than ever before.
The events of the wedding and the ongoing policies of the Taliban continue to underscore the deep challenges ahead for women in Afghanistan.