A Taliban leader appeared to confirm on Wednesday that music in public will once again be banned in Afghanistan following the group’s rapid takeover of the country in recent weeks.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, gave an interview to The New York Times where he discussed how the Islamic group intended to run the country and sought to downplay concerns about the treatment of women and reprisals against those who worked with U.S. forces.
He also addressed the issue of music in public, which was banned during the Taliban’s previous stint in power between 1996 and 2001, suggesting it will soon be prohibited.
“Music is forbidden in Islam,” Mujahid said.
“But we’re hoping that we can persuade people not to do such things, instead of pressuring them,” he said.
Mujahid is seen as a likely candidate for minister for information and culture.
When the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 1996, they banned almost all music, considering it sinful.
