This is music-related, truss me...
We all know what the Taliban thinks about women, Americans, westerners,
non-Muslims and non-extremist Muslims. Now here's another reason to hate
the Taliban. They have banned MUSIC. Not just "offensive" music, but music
PERIOD. Okay, well except for a capella Islamic sung prayers and Taliban
propaganda chants. But all other forms of music is forbidden under
Taliban-ruled Afghanistan -- Most especially music sung by women, and music
with vocals sung with instrumental accompaniment. Musical istruments are
destroyed, or musicians are beaten with their own instruments. The lucky
ones just go to prison. People who listen to music have their cassettes
confiscated, torn up and strung up on poles. The people who listen to music
are then put in prison.
Music is a subset of culture, and the Taliban has destroyed Afgan culture,
through the banning of traditional Afghan music. Musical archives at Afghan
academic institutions have been destroyed.
Prior to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan pop music was a
unifying force for the traditionally ethnically-divided country, fusing
elements of both Pushtun and Tajik musical traditions. The Taliban took
that all away.
Why is music banned? In their twisted interpretation of the Koran, the
Taliban claim that Mohammed once said that those who listen to music will
have molten lead poured into their ears on Judgement Day -- though many
Islamic scholars do not believe that to be authentic.
It doesn't matter whether you dig hip-hop, heavy metal, ethnic, country,
funk, show tunes, techno, jazz, or children's songs sung by Barney the
Dinosaur. The Taliban hates it all. And then some. Music has been around
since neanderthals banged rocks on tree logs. It is art, entertainment,
expression, communication and therapy all rolled into one. Even in the most
oppressive of societies (outside the Taliban, of course), music gives
people knowledge, joy, strength, hope. Though war is something to be
detested, it kinda makes you feel good that the Taliban's been listening to
some heavy percussion and deep bass lately -- performed by the USA and the
Northern Alliance. :)
http://www.time.com/time/musicgoesglobal/asia/mtaliban.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/saturday_review/story/0,3605,568435,00.html
http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/cultpol/cultpol_05012001_taliban.phtml
http://www.feer.com/2001/0107_26/p074current.html
http://www.trussel.com/prehist/news72.htm
- 30 -
: . elson trinidad, los angeles, california, usa
: . elson@westworld.com : www.westworld.com/~elson
: . groove to the futurethnic beats of e:trinity at www.e-trinity.org and
www.mp3.com/etrinity
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