Music becomes muted in Afghanistan due to Taliban fears

International Desk, Sep 19 (EFE).- Voices that once spread joy among Afghans are at risk of fading away in fear of retaliation at the hands of the Taliban, who ban music under their hardline Islamist interpretation of Sharia law.

Dozens of Afghan singers and musicians have fled to neighboring Pakistan since the extremist group swept back to power last month after a lightning campaign launched in the wake of the withdrawal of United States-led international troops.

When they first took the helm of the country between 1996 and 2001, the Taliban banned music and ordered women to stay at home as part of their interpretation of Islamic laws.

During recent peace talks in Doha, the Taliban said they were committed to the rights of Afghans, particularly women.

But after taking over the power on 15 August, some of their actions indicate the contrary.

The Taliban have blocked women civil servants from returning to their jobs, violently put down women protests and, on Friday, dissolved the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, replacing it with their own Ministry of Vice and Virtue. EFE

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