Taliban arrests 14 people for playing music and singing .

Authorities in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan have arrested 14 people in the northern province of Takhar for playing musical instruments and singing—activities that have been heavily restricted under the group’s austere interpretation of Islamic law since they seized power in 2021.

According to a statement released by provincial police on Saturday, the arrests occurred on Thursday night in the provincial capital of Taloqan. Police allege that the group had gathered at a residential home to play music and sing, in defiance of the Taliban’s public ban on such practices.

“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 police statement read. Authorities confirmed that those arrested are currently under investigation, though no further details about potential charges or the nature of their detention were made available.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have reintroduced many of the strict societal rules that characterized their first regime from 1996 to 2001. One of their primary targets has been music, which the group claims fosters “moral corruption” and disrupts public order.

Taliban Arrest 14 in Northern Afghanistan for Music and Singing Amid Ongoing Crackdown

Shortly after retaking power, Taliban officials shut down music schools across the country, destroyed musical instruments, and banned musical broadcasts on radio and television. Public performances, music at restaurants or in private vehicles, and even background music at social gatherings such as weddings have all been prohibited. Enforcement has been especially severe in conservative rural provinces, but incidents of arrests and harassment over music have also been reported in major urban areas, including Kabul.

Wedding halls have been hit particularly hard. While music has traditionally been a central feature of Afghan weddings, Taliban regulations now forbid its use. In some cases, the female sections of wedding gatherings continue to play music discreetly, but such practices carry significant risk. Raids on weddings have resulted in threats, arrests, or the confiscation of sound equipment.

For the country’s once-vibrant musical community, the crackdown has been devastating. Musicians, many of whom were already struggling economically, have seen their livelihoods destroyed. Some have gone into hiding, while others have fled the country entirely. Several notable artists, fearing persecution, have sought asylum in Europe, the United States, and neighboring countries.

“I had to leave everything behind—my instruments, my students, my recordings,” said one former music teacher now living in exile. “We were silenced overnight.”

Under their current rule, the Taliban have encouraged musicians to redirect their talents toward Islamic poetry and nasheed—religious chants that are traditionally performed a cappella. These are the only forms of vocal performance the authorities permit, reflecting a narrow interpretation of what is deemed religiously acceptable.

While Taliban spokesmen continue to insist that they have moderated their approach compared to their first time in power, evidence suggests otherwise. The suppression of music is just one aspect of a broader cultural and societal rollback that includes restrictions on women’s rights, press freedom, and education.

Human rights organizations and international observers have criticized the Taliban’s crackdown on cultural expression as a violation of basic freedoms. Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the de facto authorities to respect the cultural rights of Afghan citizens, arguing that artistic expression is protected under international human rights law.

“Music is an essential part of any society’s cultural identity,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. “Suppressing it not only silences individual creativity but erases an entire nation’s heritage.”

Despite the dangers, some Afghans continue to engage with music in private. In the safety of their homes, families play old recordings, and underground music communities remain active online. However, the recent arrests serve as a stark reminder that even these private spaces are not beyond the reach of the Taliban’s surveillance and enforcement.

The fate of those detained in Takhar remains uncertain. While no formal charges have been announced, human rights groups have expressed concern about the potential for harsh treatment or extended detention without trial—practices that have become increasingly common under the Taliban regime.

As the country continues to grapple with economic collapse and international isolation, the suppression of culture adds another layer of hardship for millions of Afghans. For many, the ability to gather with friends, share music, and express joy through song has become yet another casualty of a regime that prizes control over community.

In a nation with a rich musical history and a diverse cultural landscape, the latest arrests are a painful symbol