In a chilling reminder of its hardline ideology, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice presented its annual report, showcasing a series of actions that human rights observers say reflect growing repression and the systematic dismantling of Afghan society’s cultural and individual freedoms.
Among the most disturbing revelations was the destruction of more than 21,328 musical instruments, a move that rights groups and artists have called a direct attack on Afghanistan’s rich artistic heritage. The ministry proudly claimed the mass destruction of instruments as a “moral achievement,” ignoring its devastating impact on freedom of expression and cultural identity.
Other actions listed in the report included:
Shutdown of 25 liquor stores and the seizure of over 13,250 narcotics, with alleged perpetrators handed over to authorities — though no judicial transparency was cited.
Arrests of over 13,000 individuals for so-called “immoral activities,” a category left deliberately vague and reportedly used to target dissenters and marginalized groups.
Blocking over 25,640 media sellers in local markets accused of distributing “obscene” content. Closure of hookah lounges and gambling spots, again under opaque legal frameworks. Arrest of 448 amulet-makers and 528 spiritual healers, accused of misleading the public.
In what the ministry celebrated as social progress, it also reported:
Preventing over 300 forced marriages and stopping the sale of 295 women,
Securing inheritance rights for 789 women,
Mediating 1,313 feuds and turning them into “friendships.”
However, independent verification of these claims is lacking, and critics argue these reports are largely symbolic propaganda aimed at masking deeper oppression, especially against women and minorities.
A Culture Under Siege:
From banning music to censoring media and arresting thousands without due process, the Taliban appears committed to erasing any trace of modern civil society. The destruction of musical instruments, symbols of joy, resistance, and identity, has become a stark emblem of this campaign.
Observers warn that the Taliban’s efforts, far from ensuring morality, are leading Afghanistan further into isolation, fear, and cultural decay.
