How Taliban affects Afghan creative industry
Hours after president Ashraf Ghani escaped Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, Taliban fighters took over the presidential palace. Former president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah later managed to create a council to facilitate a peaceful transition to Taliban rule.
This non-democratic political transition marked a new era for the country which brings what most people call a dark precedent. Among the existing industries in the country, the creative industry appears to be the first to take the hit.
For Afghan journalists, the resurgence of the militant group puts them in imminent danger. The homes of three of Deutsche Welle (DW) journalists were reportedly raided by the militants. DW also reported that the Taliban is after one of its journalists and shot the journalist’s relative in the head.
Nematullah Hemat of Ghargasht TV is believed to be kidnapped by the militants, while according to government officials, the head of Paktia Ghag Radio Toofan Omar was targeted and shot dead. Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui is also among the silenced journalists.
International media agencies all over the globe united as One Free Press Coalition last week (1 September) to publish a special edition of global monthly on “10 Most Urgent” list that focuses on how governments, organisations, or even individuals can help journalists under attack in Afghanistan.
Commit to evacuate all Afghan journalists, media workers, media advocates and their families.
Simplify and secure the process for visa application and collaborate with third countries when possible.
Establish safe corridors in Kabul to allow for the evacuation and relocation of all persons at risk, including journalists and media workers.
Ease visa restrictions for all Afghan journalists, media workers, media advocates and their families seeking asylum.
Ensure UN support for Afghan journalists as part of their "stay and deliver" agenda for humanitarian assistance and protection in Afghanistan.
Open country borders to allow for the safe passage of evacuees seeking relocation and future settlement.
Provide Afghan news organisations—including exile media—immediate ongoing core support for their news-gathering and operations.
Create emergency funding for Afghan journalists and media workers who have left the country as well as those who remain in-country.
Join a local civilian or corporate effort, such as offering to provide transportation, meals or temporary housing for Afghan refugees.
Spread the word about organisations, such as CPJ, IWMF, that are providing assistance or are compiling lists of available resources.
Meanwhile, the local fashion industry is experiencing a major setback. Siblings Haseeb Rahimi and Rahiba Rahimi had to bury their dreams to make Afghan traditional clothing craftsmanship internationally known as Taliban regain power. After five years, their brand Laman has managed to build a network of 500 craftspeople which are led by a woman. However, on 15 August, the siblings had to inform their staff that they were closing. The siblings are now seeking refugee in Turkey.
In Kabul, Shabir Roshan, the owner of party dress store Roshan Shopping Center, reportedly found gunmen bursting into his store and told him to keep the business open. Shabir admitted that he keeps his store open to make sure his 20 staff are paid, but he told his five female staff to stay at home. Roshan admitted that he was scared at first, but as an Afghan, he is used to such intrusion. The store owner said the gunmen told him that the Taliban has no problem with the modern style of his dresses.
Afghan filmmakers Sahraa Karimi and Sahra Mani at Venice Film Festival 2021 on Monday (6 September) warned against trusting the Taliban’s promises and words. "Imagine a country without artists," said Karimi. "The archives are now under the control of the Taliban. The work of directors vanished in a few hours. Some were able to leave with their computers, others with nothing at all."
Mani added that this collapse means that they “have lost everything.” She shared the fate of a mixed music school in Kabul in which the instruments are destroyed by the militants and the students have to stay in hiding. According to her, the socio-political change left filmmakers as well as other artists with no other choice but to stay or leave the country.
The Taliban on 17 August vowed that they will respect women’s rights, forgive the people who fought them and not to make Afghanistan a terrorist haven. However, doubts are resonating all over the globe as many suspect that this is a mere publicity stunt by the militants to gain popularity. These are exactly the words Karimi and Mani warned the world not to trust.