VANCOUVER, CANADA – Owners of photography and filming studios in Ghazni report that the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has prohibited filming and photography at wedding ceremonies. This new directive is expected to result in significant job losses.
At least two studio owners confirmed to KabulNow that the Taliban issued the verbal order on Monday, June 24. The Taliban’s department summoned several studio owners to convey the new restrictions.
Studio owners and employees fear the ban will leave them jobless. One owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he invested 400,000 Afghanis ($5,650) in his business, his primary source of income. He now faces the prospect of finding a new profession.
Another studio owner echoed these concerns, stating that the order would exacerbate the current economic crisis, leaving many unemployed. He said that Ghazni has around 50 photography and filming studios, each employing five to six people.
Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on celebrations, including weddins. They have previously banned the playing of music at weddings in various provinces across the country.
On August 28, 2023, Taliban gunmen opened fire on a wedding convoy in eastern Laghman province for playing music, killing a young university student. Local sources in Herat province further reported on July 22, 2023, that Taliban officials are charging between 10,000 to 50,000 Afghanis ($110 – $600) to allow music at wedding ceremonies.
The crackdown has led many artists and musicians to flee Afghanistan. The Taliban have also publicly burned musical instruments and audio equipment, claiming they promote “moral corruption” and mislead the youth.
