In Afghanistan You Cannot Even Get Some Ink

Over the past few decades, Tattoos have become increasingly popular in most parts of the world. Although current statistics are hard to come by, we do know that in America the rates for tattooed citizens has risen from six percent to over sixteen percent in the past seventy years and this is far higher in the UK. We also know that tattoos are extremely popular with the young as more than a third of Americans and half of British people between the ages of 18-25 have at least some ink.

But, as we mentioned, in certain parts of the world, tattoos are strictly prohibited. One of the nations where you would be hard pressed to find a tattoo parlour is Afghanistan. Why? Well, due to religious restrictions, any kind of physical modification is forbidden under Sharia (Islamic law). This is particularly true with regard to Sunni Muslims.

And since Sunni Muslims make up about eighty per cent of the population of Afghanistan, here is not the place to explore tattoo culture. In fact, sporting a tattoo in a devoutly religious country like Afghanistan is not only considered socially unacceptable, but could also be quite dangerous… but only for Muslims.

For example, most Sunnis Muslims do not mind that British or American troops have tattoos, because the vast majority of them are not Muslim, and thus the rule does not apply. Though there has never been a case, as far as we know, of a person being imprisoned or ostracised from his community due to ink, it would most assuredly be frowned upon.

Then again, few Afghani citizens would consider getting a tattoo in the first place. So, the matter is truly not one of great importance or concern.

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