RASC News Agency: Reports from Herat province in western Afghanistan indicate that Taliban officials are receiving substantial sums from event organizers to permit music in the city’s halls. An organizer of a wedding ceremony in Herat province, speaking anonymously in an exclusive interview with the RASC news agency on Friday, Mar 1, revealed that besides the hall rental fees and other wedding expenses, they paid the Taliban a sum ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 kabuli rupees to have music in the women’s section of the hall.
He mentioned that this payment covers only three to four hours and is remitted to Taliban members. After this duration, the music must cease, and the hall should remain free of instruments and songs. The interviewee emphasized that this sum of money is inconsequential to the Taliban. Furthermore, he highlighted instances where the Taliban have collected up to 200,000 kabuli rupees at weddings and sweet gatherings to allow music in the women’s section.
According to him, while the Taliban forbid music, they exploit it for economic gain, thus improving their financial standing. Meanwhile, Omar Rahmati, a resident of Herat province, observed that many public events in the province are now held without music. He noted that since the Taliban’s arrival, about 90% of weddings and sweet gatherings in urban and suburban halls are devoid of instruments and songs, leading to reduced event expenses.
Additionally, Babak Sohrabi, a civil activist in Herat province, asserted that the Taliban pursue economic interests contrary to Islamic principles, aiming to offset the 20 years spent in the mountains and plains. He indicated widespread corruption within the administrative and operational affairs of the Taliban, starting from their initial arrival on foot and motorcycles to their current affluent preferences.
On the other hand, Ramin Hakimi, familiar with western Afghanistan affairs, stated that due to Taliban restrictions, a significant portion of the population cannot celebrate events in halls. He expressed that many families in Herat province are deliberating how to conduct their wedding and sweet gathering ceremonies without music. Moreover, he suggested that if the Taliban genuinely care about the Afghanistani people, they should devise a comprehensive plan for young couples’ ceremonies to address societal concerns.
It is noteworthy that the Taliban authorities in Herat province have remained silent on this matter. It is significant to note that the trend of the Taliban receiving payments for permitting music in Herat province’s halls has been ongoing for a considerable time and is widespread among the populace.
