Missing Afghan singer raises concerns amid Taliban restrictions

In Kabul, Afghanistan, a popular singer known as Zulala has been missing for over a month, raising fears regarding her safety amid the current political climate. Zulala first gained fame nearly a decade ago for her performance in a prominent television talent show, Afghan Star, where she became an admired figure in Afghan society. Her husband, Sadat, reported that Zulala did not take her phone when she left, as their young son was using it, which has contributed to concerns about her well-being. Sadat has reached out to the Taliban-led government for assistance in locating his wife but has expressed frustration over their lack of cooperation. The Taliban’s Interior Ministry controversially claimed that Zulala left due to marital issues and domestic violence, allegations that Sadat staunchly denies, insisting their union was loving and not arranged, unlike many relationships in Afghanistan. He described the couple's love story, highlighting their meeting nearly a decade ago at a television studio while Zulala was a contestant on Afghan Star. More than two years after the Taliban regained power and imposed strict cultural restrictions, including a ban on music, many musicians have found themselves in danger or silenced out of fear for their lives. Zulala had aspirations to leave Afghanistan and continue her musical career in Germany, a goal she shared enthusiastically with her husband Sadat, who confirmed their immigration application was in progress. The couple’s hopes for safety and fulfillment were abruptly interrupted by Zulala's disappearance, leaving her family and supporters worried about her fate in such a repressive regime. This case is not an isolated incident; the resurgence of the Taliban has led to increased violence against artists, including the tragic murder of fellow folk singer Fawad Andarabi in 2021. As music is deemed corrupt by the Taliban’s morality police, those who once enjoyed popularity and fame now live in fear, choosing silence over potential danger. Zulala’s disappearance marks a critical point in understanding the broader implications of life under Taliban rule and the risk facing those daring to express themselves through music in a country where such freedom has been severely curtailed.