Taliban poets celebrate and praise the new Afghan government | Global News

Taliban poets in Afghanistan have shifted their focus from war anthems to praising the new rulers of the country. In a recent poetry reading event in Parwan province, poets eulogized the Taliban government, proclaiming it as a “pure system” and a victory for the nation. The 22-year-old poet, Samiullah Hamas, emphasized the importance of unity and brotherhood under the Islamic system through their verses.

As the Taliban government enters its third year in power, it is using poetry as a tool for propaganda and cultural cohesion. Kabul’s rulers are allowing poetry to flourish as long as it aligns with the government’s narrative. Roxanna Shapour of the Afghanistan Analysts Network noted that poetry has been instrumentalized to convey messages of unity and national identity in the post-foreign forces era.

However, the Taliban’s restrictions on education for girls and women’s rights have sparked criticism and protest among some Afghan poets. A young poetess, too fearful to reveal her identity, expressed her frustration at the Taliban’s control over artistic expression. Despite the challenges, she finds solace in writing poetry privately and sharing it with close friends.

The shift in focus from war anthems to messages of peace and unity reflects the changing landscape in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. While poetry continues to be a powerful medium for expression, the restrictions imposed by the government highlight the complexities of artistic freedom in a society undergoing significant transformation.