SOT: Another Reason To Hate The Taliban

From: Elson Trinidad (elson@westworld.com)
Date: Sat Oct 20 2001 - 02:23:01 CEST

  • Next message: Max Cat: "Swope Transmissions Playlist"

    This is music-related, truss me...

    We all know what the Taliban thinks about women, Americans, westerners,
    non-Muslims and non-extremist Muslims. Now here's another reason to hate
    the Taliban. They have banned MUSIC. Not just "offensive" music, but music
    PERIOD. Okay, well except for a capella Islamic sung prayers and Taliban
    propaganda chants. But all other forms of music is forbidden under
    Taliban-ruled Afghanistan -- Most especially music sung by women, and music
    with vocals sung with instrumental accompaniment. Musical istruments are
    destroyed, or musicians are beaten with their own instruments. The lucky
    ones just go to prison. People who listen to music have their cassettes
    confiscated, torn up and strung up on poles. The people who listen to music
    are then put in prison.

    Music is a subset of culture, and the Taliban has destroyed Afgan culture,
    through the banning of traditional Afghan music. Musical archives at Afghan
    academic institutions have been destroyed.
    Prior to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan pop music was a
    unifying force for the traditionally ethnically-divided country, fusing
    elements of both Pushtun and Tajik musical traditions. The Taliban took
    that all away.

    Why is music banned? In their twisted interpretation of the Koran, the
    Taliban claim that Mohammed once said that those who listen to music will
    have molten lead poured into their ears on Judgement Day -- though many
    Islamic scholars do not believe that to be authentic.

    It doesn't matter whether you dig hip-hop, heavy metal, ethnic, country,
    funk, show tunes, techno, jazz, or children's songs sung by Barney the
    Dinosaur. The Taliban hates it all. And then some. Music has been around
    since neanderthals banged rocks on tree logs. It is art, entertainment,
    expression, communication and therapy all rolled into one. Even in the most
    oppressive of societies (outside the Taliban, of course), music gives
    people knowledge, joy, strength, hope. Though war is something to be
    detested, it kinda makes you feel good that the Taliban's been listening to
    some heavy percussion and deep bass lately -- performed by the USA and the
    Northern Alliance. :)

    http://www.time.com/time/musicgoesglobal/asia/mtaliban.html

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/saturday_review/story/0,3605,568435,00.html

    http://www.infoculture.cbc.ca/archives/cultpol/cultpol_05012001_taliban.phtml

    http://www.feer.com/2001/0107_26/p074current.html

    http://www.trussel.com/prehist/news72.htm

    - 30 -
    : . elson trinidad, los angeles, california, usa
    : . elson@westworld.com : www.westworld.com/~elson
    : . groove to the futurethnic beats of e:trinity at www.e-trinity.org and
    www.mp3.com/etrinity



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Oct 20 2001 - 02:49:06 CEST