Music is banned in Afghanistan.. Taxi drivers defy the decision

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In the past, popular music was a part of the daily scene in the Afghan capital, Kabul, as it echoed from restaurants, cafes, and shops, and from car windows as they roamed the streets of the capital.

However, since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, only religious or national anthems permitted by officials can be heard in public places.

Meanwhile, members of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice remain on the lookout for the slightest musical note that is deemed inappropriate.

Nevertheless, taxi drivers, like Royin who refused to give his full name for security reasons, continue to secretly listen to popular songs and Afghan pop music, defying a decision issued by the Taliban government to ban them.

As soon as Roueen spots a police officer, he quickly turns off the radio in his car. Roueen said from his light blue and white car, "As soon as we stop at checkpoints," which are numerous in Kabul, "we lower the volume or turn off the music completely," according to AFP.

He also confirmed that he now feels "ten times more eager to listen to music" since it was banned.

Additionally, the 28-year-old pointed out that in a country where many forms of entertainment are prohibited, with cinemas closed or demolished except for sporadic screenings of documentary films glorifying the armed forces, listening to music has become "a form of protest."

For his part, another driver who requested anonymity admitted that he only listens to music when he is alone, and that the noise of other cars makes him less noticeable. The thirty-something said, "We used to listen to music whenever we wanted, without stress or worry. But now, I feel anxious when I listen to it."

He also added that he had previously been stopped by police twice and had a USB storage device and a memory card that he connected to his car radio to listen to his favorite songs.

He continued, saying, "I did not lie, I said it contains music, so they destroyed it." He added, "I believe that Afghan culture should not disappear, and music is an integral part of it."

On the other hand, the morality police consider that music is forbidden and causes annoyance to passengers, so drivers should refrain from listening to it or broadcasting it to others.

Moreover, the morality police in some provinces have periodically confiscated musical instruments or devices used to listen to music and burned them.

They also confiscated headphones from Afghans in the streets or gyms to ensure they were not listening to music.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the ministry, Saif al-Islam Khyber, indicated that he does not have national figures on this matter.