Work Hazards in Media and Arts under Taliban Rule

Professional Life in Herat

During all the years I lived in Herat, my professional work in videography and photography was limited to urban areas. Despite security threats, I accepted various projects — from documenting civil protests to covering events attended by the governor and other officials. These were just career opportunities for me, but in the eyes of the Taliban, they were "crimes."

Taliban’s View on Artistic Activity

The Taliban considered any media presence at government events a betrayal of the "Emirate." They didn’t recognize professions like artist, journalist, or documentarian. Instead, they saw individuals with "connections" to the former government — often sentencing them in field courts without due process.

Risks and Travel Limitations

For this reason, I never left Herat. Traveling to Taliban-controlled provinces felt like suicide. I declined many invitations to work outside the city because of direct threats and lack of security.

Suppression of Art under the Taliban

Visual arts like music, painting, and filmmaking were banned or restricted. The Taliban saw them as anti-Islamic and often destroyed cameras and musical instruments. Many artists were forced to quit or work in secret.

Consequences for the Art Community

Photographers were threatened, jailed, or had their equipment destroyed. Female artists faced even harsher bans. This oppressive policy led many creatives to flee the country. A symbolic example of this suppression was the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues.