By Siraj Khan
It is said that when words fail, music speaks. Music is a universal language, an activity that stimulates and uses the entire brain. But in war-torn Afghanistan, after the Taliban took over Kabul again on 15 August 2021, music was one of the first casualties.
Music, musicians and musical instruments in Afghanistan all stand endangered under the ban on music in the country, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. This is a big blow to music and performing arts in the region.
Afghan journalist and TV host Spozhmai Maani together with Pakistani civil engineer Rizwan Sharif from Gilgit draw attention to the issue in a joint report for Index on Censorship:
“Once a famous spot for music and entertainment in Kabul, Sar e chowk has now been turned into a regular market with no sign or remnants of music anywhere. The market used to be full of shops selling musical instruments. It had small studios where artists, musicians and singers would gather to make songs, create music and entertain people. That is now all gone and instead people sell fruit and vegetables.”
The piece examines the sound of silence which appears to have cast a blanket over war-torn Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam led them to outlaw music in the past, and again since their return to power just over two years ago.
In a recent attack the Taliban confiscated musical instruments in the west province of Herat on 30 July 2023 and set them on fire, write Maani and Sharif.
The famed Afghanistan National Institute of Music, the country’s only music school, had to shut down its campus in Kabul after Taliban’s crackdown. It has temporarily relocated to Lisbon, Portugal, where 273 students, faculty members and staff have been granted asylum.
This is Maani and Sharif’s second collaborative article for Index on Censorship. Their earlier piece exposed the challenges faced by journalists and media personalities in Afghanistan, specially women.
Lead image: Band of Afghan musicians in Farah, Afghanistan. ISAF photo by US Air Force Senior Airman Rylan K. Albright / Wikipedia
Published in:
- South Asia Monitor, When the music died: Afghanistan’s performing arts fall silent under Taliban rule, 12 Sep. 2023
Thank you so much sir for noticing this important piece and taking your previous time to shed light on this important topic. I know how important this topic is for you, because of your personal passion & interest for music. It is very unfortunate to see the plight of music and musical artists under the Taliban’s rule. We must raise our voice against the onslaught on the musical heritage of Afghanistan the Taliban and should stand in solidarity with all the artists of Afghanistan.
Dear Rizwan Sharif,
You (and co-author Spozhmai Maani), penned a very compelling piece on the restrictions placed on music in Afghanistan. More than anything else, music belongs to the whole world and no barrier or boundary can contain it. The world has known and loves Afghanistan’s art and culture, which sadly Taliban do not represent and cannot restrict. We must continue to share it, as music is truly the only universal language that people understand. The sound of silence is unacceptable.
I appreciate that Sapan News, Mr Rizwan and Mr’s Spozhmai Mani have provided coverage on the recent activity in Afghanistan. However, I find it disheartening to hear about the banning of musical schools and the confiscation of instruments by the Afghan Taliban. Music and art have always played a crucial role in promoting cultural understanding, creativity, and personal expression. It is important to foster an inclusive society that values and respects different forms of artistic expression. I truly hope that these restrictions are reconsidered to allow the people of Afghanistan to continue exploring their passion for music and nurturing their talents.
HOPE is perhaps the strongest word in the English language. We are certain that changes will take place. Success in cricket has been a great teacher for the Taliban. We all hope that music and art will follow too.