Kabul: The Taliban has told people in Afghanistan that growing beard is a recommendation, not mandatory, the media reported on Friday.
The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice made the statement on its Twitter post, adding: "This is a personal choice."
The statement came after the Ministry's directions over trimming and shaving beards in some provinces aroused national and international reactions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said drivers should not take two women in the front seat of the car and avoid seating women who don't observe Islamic hijab, The Khaama News Agency reported.
The Taliban said woman cannot travel for more than 45 miles.
The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has replaced the Ministry of Women Affairs. It is one of the strictest administrations of the Taliban regime. (UNI)