Fourteen people have been arrested in northern Afghanistan for playing music and singing at a private event, local police said on Saturday.
The arrest took place on Thursday night in a house in Takhar province, according to a statement by the provincial police. The authorities said the group was playing musical instruments and singing songs, which they claimed disturbed the public.
“Fourteen individuals… took advantage of the nighttime to gather in a residential house where they were playing musical instruments and singing songs,” the police said.
Under Taliban rule, music is banned in public and private spaces. After returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced strict Islamic laws that include a total ban on music, public performances, and media broadcasts that include songs. Music schools have been closed, and many instruments have been destroyed.
The Taliban consider music a form of “moral corruption” and have urged musicians to focus only on religious chanting and Islamic poetry. Public places like weddings, restaurants, and vehicles are also not allowed to play music.
While some women-only gatherings may still include quiet music, most performances now happen secretly, and often in fear.
Many Afghan musicians have fled the country to seek safety and new jobs abroad, after losing their careers and incomes. The country is already facing economic hardship, and the loss of the music industry has worsened the situation for those involved in the arts.
The 14 people arrested are still being investigated, officials said, but no further details have been given about possible charges or punishment.
