11.2004 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Watching TV or videos, listening to music or drinking in big cities usually no problem; some provinces or families might not accept it ("The political conditions, the security and human rights situation in Afghanistan; Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul, Afghanistan 20 March – 2 April 2004") [#27424], [ID 1496]

"The UNHCR explained that there are no major problems regarding secular behaviour in Kabul such as drinking or watching western-orientated TV or video. Possible sanctions against such behaviour depend on what kind of family one belongs to. The transgression of different social norms can be sanctioned severely if one belongs to a family that does not accept it. The UNHCR mentioned, however, that they had heard that two video shops had been bombed in the town of Gardez.
The EU Special Representative did not know of any cases where people had been seriously harassed because of non-Islamic behaviour. The source was aware that Ismail Khan, Governor of Herat in western Afghanistan closed video shops after the approval of the constitution on the grounds that an Islamic constitution had been applied. The source had knowledge of an episode in Herat where a marriage celebration was closed down because of the music being played too loud. Moreover, the President of the Supreme Court has stated that cable TV is non-Islamic. The President of the Supreme Court is a strong opponent of Afghan Television showing female singers, and had therefore originally banned female singers from the TV. A ban that was later reversed by the Afghan Minister of Culture.
The CCA found that everybody is free to watch TV and video films in the main cities. They explained that in many hotels in the main cities alcohol is being served. They were of the opinion that one could serve alcohol in one’s own home in Kabul without being punished, but there was a risk of sanctions if one consumed alcohol in public. The organization found that Afghan citizens can consume alcohol together with foreign guests in public restaurants in the bigger towns, a behaviour that is not permitted in several areas in the province. (p. 52)"

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27.08.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Performers continue to be harassed in many parts of the country ("Performers Face the Music") [#15505], [ID 1497]

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24.01.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Musicians face physical attacks and threats from conservatives: 2 musicians killed in a grenade attack in Paghman province and several other musicians were beaten up, while many have received insults and threats ("Singing Kharabat`s Praises") [#10731], [ID 1499]

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27.11.2002 - Source: Frankfurter Rundschau

Die alten Mächte Afghanistans bekämpfen die neue Freiheit nach Kräften ("Die alten Mächte Afghanistans bekämpfen die neue Freiheit nach Kräften") [#9707], [ID 1500]

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14.11.2002 - Source: Standard

Der Standard: Fatwa prohibits music and dancing in western Afghanistan ("Fatwa verbietet Musik und Tanz im Westen Afghanistans") [#30637], [ID 1501]

"Regeln wie unter den Taliban in der Provinz Herat wieder eingeführt

Kabul - Genau ein Jahr nach dem Sturz des Taliban-Regimes in Afghanistan ist die Provinz Herat zum Verbot von Hochzeitsfeiern mit Musik und Tanz zurückgekehrt. Gouverneur Ismail Khan bestätigte eine Fatwa (islamischer Urteilsspruch) eines moslemischen Geistlichen, wonach Feiern in Hotels und Restaurants, bei denen Musik gemacht und getanzt wird und Männer und Frauen miteinander reden, gesetzwidrig sind. Selbst bei Feiern zu Hause ist es verboten zu tanzen. Das berichtete die afghanische Zeitung "Anis" am Mittwoch.

Jahr eins nach den Taliban

Diese Regeln galten auch unter den Taliban. Nach den US-Angriffen wegen der Terroranschläge vom 11. September war das Taliban-Regime in der Nacht auf 13. November 2001 in Kabul zusammengebrochen. Hochzeiten und andere Familienfeste werden seitdem zumindest in den Städten wieder wie früher öffentlich gefeiert.

"Ich habe mit eigenen Augen gesehen, wie Bräutigam und Braut zu indischer Musik getanzt haben. Das ist keine afghanische Kultur, sondern westliche", zitierte die Zeitung Khan. Die Menschen sollten nur geistliche Musik und Lieder über den Heiligen Krieg hören, fügte er hinzu. (APA/dpa)"

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22.04.2002 - Source: BBC News

Popular Western and Indian music, movie and sports channels resume broadcasting after government passes law allowing them to go on air ("Cable TV returns to Kabul") [#12304], [ID 1498]

Document(s): Open document