From Kabul: Music to the ears of those with ear for music

Kabul: In what should be music to the ears for those with ear for music – and the whole world seems to have that if it happens in Kabul – news has come about a wedding celebration at mid-day on Tuesday mid-day at one of of Kabul's upscale wedding halls.

The keen eyes of Afghan watchers seem to be focused on whether there is room for music and dance in Kabul, rather than peace in its airport. And those who went near the event venue, are quoted by PTI as saying that Afghan dance music could be heard from inside the hall.

The agency quotes reception hall's manager, Shadab Azimi, 26, at least seven wedding parties have been held since the Taliban takeover of Kabul two weeks earlier, with festivities moved to daylight hours because of security concerns.

Azimi said that the Taliban, who had earned sufficient notoriety and considerable derision during their previous rule between 1996-2001 for banning most forms of music, except for devotional Islamic songs, did not announce a ban of live music. However, wedding singers canceled on their own, for fear of running afoul of possible new Taliban restrictions.

He said in recent celebrations, couples played taped music. Azimi said business was down by 80 per cent over the past two weeks, presumably because of uncertainty about what was allowed and what was taboo.

The manager said Taliban patrols check in a couple of times a day, asking if he needs help with security, but have not seemed threatening. And unlike the security forces under the deposed government, the Taliban have not demanded bribes, he said without possibly realising that his content may not win wide currency.

Even before the Taliban takeover, wedding parties had traditionally been segregated, with men and women celebrating in different spaces, as with most Muslim countries when it comes to wedding receptions and dinners.