By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least 14 persons have been arrested and taken into custody by the Taliban government in the northern region of Afghanistan for playing musical instruments and singing during a private gathering, provincial police said on Saturday.
Under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, a ban was placed on instrumental music and dance.
“Fourteen individuals… took advantage of the nighttime to gather in a residential house where they were playing musical instruments and singing songs, which caused disturbance to the public,” the Taliban-backed police said in a statement in reference to the incident on Thursday night in the capital of northern Takhar province.
Since they retook governance in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have reimposed severe limitations on music and public entertainment, similar to those enforced during their previous rule from 1996 to 2001.
Music schools have been closed, instruments destroyed, and public performances outlawed.
Under Taliban rule, music is now banned from public places, including weddings, restaurants, cars, and media broadcasts, branding it a source of “moral corruption”.
The Taliban have also urged former musicians to redirect their talents towards religious chanting and Islamic poetry.
Despite these restrictions, music continues to be performed discreetly in some women-only spaces.
Many musicians fled the country following the Taliban’s return, seeking refuge and employment abroad after losing their livelihoods in a nation already facing deep economic hardship.
According to officials, the 14 detainees are currently undergoing investigation.
