Afghanistan: "Shock Punishment" for Listening to Music at a Wedding

Taliban gunmen opened fire on guests at a wedding due to music being played, resulting in the deaths of two attendees, according to local officials and witnesses, in an act condemned by the Taliban government. A relative of the victims stated that Taliban militants shot at the wedding party in the Surkhot district in eastern Afghanistan after catching guests listening to Afghan music, which led to the deaths of two people and injuries to two others. In Kabul, government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not confirm the incident but clarified that the Taliban opposes such violations. He stated, "An investigation is underway. We do not currently know how this occurred," suggesting that it could be a "personal matter." During a press conference, he added, "Within the Islamic Emirate, no one has the right to prevent anyone from listening to music or anything else; they can only attempt to persuade them. This is how it works." He affirmed, "If someone kills a person, even if they are one of our men, it is a crime, and we will bring them to justice and they must face the law." Music was banned when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The new government has yet to issue legislation on this matter, but it still views listening to non-religious music as contrary to its interpretation of Islamic law.