Musical expressions are completely banned and ruthlessly discouraged in the newly founded Taliban state of Swat in the north-western part of Pakistan.
Hundreds of singers, musicians and women dancers have fled for other provinces, the international Copenhagen-based NGO, Freemuse (Freedom of Musical Expression) writes in its latest newsbrief Thursday.
The few singers and musicians who remain in the area have shunned their music business and publically announced that from now onwards they will never indulge in the “un-Islamic” practice of singing.
Taliban threats have forced popular singers such as Nazia Iqbal, Gulrez Tabbasum, Gulzar Alam and Shehensha Bacha to publically denounce music and join “Tablighi Jumat”, an Islamic movement that spreads Islamic teachings in different parts of Pakistan and internationally.
Samin Khan, a young singer from Kabal area of Swat district, told that the district administration supports Taliban in their campaign against music:
– The DCO (District Coordination Officer) clearly stated that music is prohibited in Islam and he would never tolerate obscenity and vulgarity on the pretext of singing and dancing, Samin Khan said.
After one and half year fighting between militants affiliated with Maulana Fazlullah and Pakistan security forces, the social and cultural identity of the Swat valley has completely disfigured.
The estimated 500 music shops that earlier sold music CDs of all types have been either bombed or looted, and the owners were threatened of dire consequences if they violated Taliban code of morality.
At the same time, CDs and DVDs showing Taliban style “justice” are available in every nook and corner of the district.
– People who earlier dealt in music CDs and videos are now selling Jihadi CDs, says Sher Ali Shah, an NGO worker in Mingora.
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Freemuse (FREEdom of MUSical Expression) is an international human rights organisation advocating freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide.
