Taliban Burns Over 100 Musical Instruments In Afghanistan’s Laghman Province

The Taliban’s Virtue and Vice directorate in Laghman has announced the destruction of over 100 musical instruments in Alingar district. The Taliban states that it is part of the group’s ongoing enforcement of its ban on music.

According to local Taliban officials, at least 109 musical instruments were collected over the past several months from various celebratory gatherings and subsequently burned. On Monday, officials in Alingar released images showing the public incineration of the items, which included drums (daff), guitars, loudspeakers, and other musical equipment.

Since returning to power in Afghanistan nearly four years ago, the Taliban has banned all forms of music, declaring that it contradicts “the rulings of Islamic Sharia.” The group has regularly carried out raids to confiscate musical instruments and has punished musicians in several provinces.

The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue claims that thousands of musical instruments have been destroyed under its directives since the group’s return to power.