By Deborah Nnamdi
Authorities in northern Afghanistan have arrested 14 individuals for playing music and singing — activities banned under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law — according to provincial police on Saturday.
Since reclaiming power in 2021, the Taliban has progressively enforced restrictions that align with their conservative religious values, including a broad crackdown on music in both public and private settings. This includes banning live performances and music at social gatherings, in vehicles, restaurants, and across broadcast media.
Police reported that the arrests occurred Thursday night in Takhar province’s capital, where the group had gathered at a private residence. Authorities stated the event “caused a disturbance to the public.” Those detained are currently under investigation.
Since their return to power, the Taliban has closed music schools, destroyed instruments, and prohibited music at events such as weddings. Many Afghan musicians have either fled the country or abandoned their profession amid the repression.
While women sometimes continue to play music privately in gender-segregated spaces, public musical expression remains largely suppressed.
The Taliban encourages former musicians to shift to religious poetry and unaccompanied vocal chants — forms of expression previously permitted during their rule from 1996 to 2001.
