The Taliban has arrested 14 people in northern Afghanistan for playing musical instruments and singing, activities that the group has severely restricted since taking power in 2021. The arrest took place in Takhar, a province in the north, where the individuals were reportedly gathered in a private house on Thursday night. According to local police, the group was playing music and singing, which they claimed caused a disturbance to the public. The detainees are under investigation, though the authorities have not specified the charges against them.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, it has steadily imposed laws that reflect its strict interpretation of Islamic law. One of the most notable actions has been its crackdown on music, which the group has deemed morally corrupt and a public disturbance. Music, whether performed live or played in public spaces such as restaurants, cars, or on radio and television, has been banned. The Taliban’s cultural policies have reshaped public life significantly, particularly in the entertainment sector.
Music schools across the country have been shut down, and musical instruments have been confiscated, destroyed, or burned. The Taliban government views music as a harmful influence, and its leaders have made it clear that they see musical expression as incompatible with their vision of Afghan society. This crackdown has had a devastating impact on Afghan musicians, many of whom have been left without livelihoods. As a result, some musicians fled the country in search of safety and work, while others have had to abandon their art.
The prohibition of music extends to weddings, which were once a major source of income for musicians. Wedding halls are no longer allowed to play music, and even when music is played, it is often done so in secrecy. In some cases, segregated women’s sections at weddings may still feature music, but these events are typically held behind closed doors to avoid detection by the authorities.
In an attempt to reconcile its rigid religious stance with the artistic talents of former musicians, the Taliban has suggested that musicians turn to Islamic poetry and vocal chants as a substitute for the more secular forms of music they once performed. These forms of expression, which are unaccompanied by musical instruments, are the only types of music that the Taliban permits under its interpretation of Sharia law.
The broader impact of the Taliban’s policies has been profound, particularly for the cultural and creative sectors in Afghanistan. The country, already one of the poorest in the world, has seen its cultural richness diminish as artists and performers are forced into hiding or exile. For many, music was a form of expression, a source of livelihood, and a means of connection with the wider world. Now, under the Taliban’s rule, music is seen as a subversive act that challenges their vision of morality.
As a result, Afghanistan’s music scene has become almost nonexistent in the public sphere. While the country has a long history of musical tradition, this has been largely silenced under the Taliban’s regime. The ban on music reflects broader efforts by the group to impose their austere interpretation of Islam, which has resulted in restrictions on various forms of cultural expression, including art, film, and literature.
For those who continue to defy the ban, the risks are high. Arrests like the one in Takhar province serve as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who engage in activities deemed contrary to the Taliban’s values. While some musicians and artists may continue to find ways to express themselves in secret, the future of Afghanistan’s cultural life remains uncertain under the Taliban’s restrictive policies.
