The Taliban has suspended all Mushaira poetry events across Afghanistan, citing economic pressures and recent criticisms voiced during literary gatherings. Sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that the Ministry of Information and Culture issued a verbal directive to provincial departments to halt these cultural programs until further notice.
The Mushaira events, which have been held over the past four years in various provinces, were initially part of the Taliban’s strategy to promote cultural unity. However, this suspension follows a notable incident at the Naranj Gul festival in Nangarhar province, where poets recited verses critical of the regime and called on the Taliban’s supreme leader to make a public appearance in Kabul.
On Monday, the Taliban also cancelled the Gul-e-Arghawan poetry festival in Parwan province, with officials attributing the cancellation to bad weather. However, local observers reported that weather conditions were favorable for the event.
While the Mushaira gatherings were tightly controlled by the Taliban, only poets and cultural figures who aligned with the group’s ideology were permitted to participate. Women were completely excluded from these events, and any form of romantic or critical poetry was strictly prohibited.
The cancellations have sparked discontent among independent cultural voices and some pro-Taliban social media users, who expressed disappointment over the suspension of a program that was intended to foster national cohesion.
The Taliban has yet to release an official statement regarding the decision.
