Taliban Closes Afghanistan’s Only Women-Run Radio Station for Playing Music During Ramadan

A women-run radio station in Afghanistan’s northeast has been shut down for playing music during the holy month of Ramadan, a Taliban official said Saturday. Moezuddin Ahmadi, the director for Information and Culture in Badakhshan province, said the station violated the “laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate” several times by broadcasting songs and music during Ramadan and was shuttered because of the breach.

The radio station, Sadai Banowan, which means women’s voice in Dari, is Afghanistan’s only women-run station and started 10 years ago. Ahmadi said that if the station accepts the policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and gives a guarantee that it will not repeat such a thing again, they will allow it to operate again.

The decision to shut down the station has sparked debate among Afghans, with some arguing that the Taliban’s decision is a violation of freedom of speech and expression. Others have argued that the station should have respected the laws of the Islamic Emirate and not broadcast music during Ramadan.

The station’s closure has been met with criticism from human rights groups, who have called for the immediate reopening of the station. They have argued that the station should be allowed to operate freely and without interference from the Taliban.

The decision to shut down the station has highlighted the ongoing struggle between the Taliban and the Afghan government over freedom of expression and the rights of women. It remains to be seen whether the station will be allowed to reopen and continue broadcasting.