Amidst the tumultuous control of the Taliban in Afghanistan, an unexpected form of resistance has emerged – music. Unfortunately, the extremist group’s response to such cultural expressions has been severe, bordering on drastic.
BBC recently reported that the Taliban has resorted to burning musical instruments, an action justified by the notion that music fosters moral corruption. The incident occurred last Saturday in western Herat province, where musical equipment valued at thousands of dollars was burned down.
Cultural Suppression: ‘Musical Vandalism’
The incident reflects the larger cultural suppression imposed by the Taliban since regaining control in 2021. A strict ban on public music performances is among the numerous restrictions. This alarming state of affairs has led Ahmad Sarmast, the founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, to draw parallels between the Taliban’s actions and “cultural genocide and musical vandalism.”
Forced to live in exile in Portugal, Dr Sarmast remains deeply troubled by the Taliban’s denial of artistic freedom. In his view, the burning of musical instruments in Herat symbolizes a larger pattern of cultural eradication across Afghanistan under extremist rule.
Pictures circulating online reveal that among the destroyed items in Herat were various musical instruments, including a guitar, a harmonium, and a tabla drum, along with amplifiers and speakers, all of which had been seized from local wedding venues.
An official from the Taliban’s Vice and Virtue Ministry defended these actions, arguing that playing music could potentially lead the youth down a morally corrupt path. The event is not isolated, with a similar musical instrument bonfire on July 19, although the location remains undisclosed.
A Vibrant Music Scene Under Threat
During the Taliban’s previous reign from the mid-90s until 2001, all musical expressions, from social gatherings to television and radio broadcasts, were strictly prohibited. However, in the intervening two decades, a thriving music scene emerged. Unfortunately, with the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, numerous musicians fled Afghanistan to avoid potential persecution. Reports suggest that those artists who chose to stay have faced severe beatings and discrimination.
In line with their stringent interpretation of Islamic law, the Taliban has imposed various restrictions over the past two years, most notably affecting women. Besides being compelled to dress in a manner that only exposes their eyes and needs a male relative’s accompaniment for long-distance travel, women and teenage girls have also been denied entry into schools, universities, gyms, and parks.
Recently, the Taliban ordered the closure of all hair and beauty salons nationwide, labeling them as un-Islamic, further shrinking the sphere of freedom and expression for the citizens of Afghanistan.
