Fourteen people were arrested in northern Afghanistan this week after authorities accused them of playing music and singing during a private gathering, a practice banned under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, provincial police confirmed on Saturday.
The arrests took place Thursday night in the capital of Takhar province. In a statement, police said the 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.”
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have reinstated strict regulations on music and entertainment, mirroring policies from their earlier rule in the late 1990s. Public music has been outlawed, instruments have been destroyed, and music education has been shut down. The regime prohibits music in public venues such as restaurants, weddings, and even private vehicles, and it is banned from media broadcasts.
Taliban authorities have consistently labeled music a source of “moral corruption,” encouraging former musicians to focus instead on religious chants and Islamic poetry.
Despite the sweeping restrictions, music has survived in some limited, often discreet, women-only spaces. Still, many Afghan musicians have fled the country, seeking safety and opportunities abroad after losing their sources of income amid the ongoing economic crisis.
Officials said the detained individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues
