News Mania Desk/Piyal Chatterjee/5th September 2024
According to an Amu TV investigation, the Taliban in Afghanistan have been using melodies from Indian and Afghan music in their recently released nasheeds. In Islam, a nasheed is a kind of hymn-like vocal music that is frequently performed a cappella or with instruments. With the assistance of an Afghan music expert who chose to remain anonymous owing to security concerns, Amu TV investigators looked into six recently released nasheeds that were broadcast by media under Taliban control.Many of these nasheeds, according to investigators, are exact ripoffs of well-known tunes. For example, the patriotic song “Ey Zama Watana” (Oh My Homeland) by Waheed Qasimi has components of a nasheed named “Qurban Le Emirate” (Love for the Emirate), which was inspired by a melody sung by Afghan singer Naghma.The organization prohibited music, including patriotic songs and national anthems, after seizing control of Kabul and regaining it in August 2021, which makes the recent findings significant.
The action was considered a part of a larger campaign by the Taliban, who interpret Islamic Shariat Law, to replace all musical genres with nasheeds.Following the establishment of their domination in authority, the group increased their online visibility in August 2022 by opening a special “Taranum” account on social media platform X. These nasheeds have only been aired using this account. In itself, the word “taranum” refers to a synthesis of musical elements.
The Haqqani madrassas in Pakistan had a significant influence on Peshawar’s musical traditions, which is where the Taliban’s use of the term “taranum” originated. They disseminate their radical beliefs through melodic vocals. Afghan culture, both past and present, has no place for this practice, journalist Haroon Majidi told Amu TV.
According to the article, the Taliban uses these modified versions of nasheeds to propagate their ideology and exalt their history in spite of a prohibition on music. These modified songs are now played on the soundtrack for all Taliban events and get-togethers.
