Taxi drivers in Kabul keep music alive despite Taliban prohibition

In the bustling streets of Kabul, several taxi drivers have taken to turning on the radio and playing popular tracks while ferrying passengers, a practice that directly contravenes the Taliban’s strict ban on music. Al Jazeera reported that the drivers, aware of the potential repercussions, nevertheless choose to keep the melodies flowing, saying the music offers a brief respite from the hardships of daily life.

The Taliban, which seized power in August 2021, reinstated a ban on most forms of music, labeling it “un-Islamic” and ordering the closure of recording studios, concert venues and public broadcasts. Enforcement has been uneven, with cultural police occasionally raiding homes and businesses suspected of violating the decree. Yet, in the informal economy of taxi services, the ban is harder to police, and many drivers have found a way to sidestep it by using personal devices and low‑volume speakers.

According to Al Jazeera, the drivers explain that playing music helps to calm nervous passengers and creates a more welcoming atmosphere. Some even claim that the tunes are a silent protest, a way to preserve Afghan cultural heritage that the regime seeks to erase. The drivers risk fines, vehicle seizure or even detention, but the majority appear willing to accept the danger for the sake of a few minutes of normalcy.

The phenomenon reflects a broader pattern of subtle resistance that has emerged across Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return. While the regime has cracked down on public performances and banned most foreign media, many Afghans continue to consume music through smartphones and underground networks. The persistence of music in private and semi‑public spaces underscores the deep-rooted role of song in Afghan society, from traditional folk to modern pop, and highlights the challenges the Taliban face in imposing cultural restrictions.

Experts note that such everyday acts of defiance can erode the authority of hard‑line policies over time. By normalizing the presence of music in taxis, drivers may be gradually reshaping public expectations and signaling that cultural expression cannot be wholly suppressed. The long‑term impact remains uncertain, but the humming engines of Kabul’s taxis now carry more than passengers – they carry a quiet, rhythmic challenge to the ban.