The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on Tuesday reported that it destroyed more than 21,000 musical instruments across Afghanistan over the past year.
According to the ministry, a total of 21,328 instruments were confiscated and destroyed as part of the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to enforce its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Taliban also claimed to have shut down numerous establishments, including hookah bars and gambling dens, and reported the arrest of 448 individuals accused of writing talismans and 528 others charged with witchcraft.
The Taliban’s annual report also stated that 25,647 computer centers allegedly involved in distributing “immoral films” were shut down. Additionally, ministry officials announced the installation of 460 loudspeakers across Kabul to broadcast the call to prayer.
In Parwan province, Taliban officials recently reported the burning of hundreds of musical instruments over the past year.
These actions come amid widespread international criticism. The United Nations, in its recent report, identified the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice as the leading violator of human rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
The report also highlighted discrepancies between the behavior of ministry members in various provinces and the directives issued by Taliban officials in Kabul.
