International
2 Killed, 10 Injured by Taliban Gunmen at Afghanistan Wedding to Stop Music
Music was banned when the Taliban ruled the country from 1996 to 2001
Three Taliban gunmen raided a wedding in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least two people and injuring 10 others. Allegedly the deadly attack was to stop music from being played. A Taliban spokesman said two of the three gunmen had been arrested, but denied they had acted on behalf of the Islamist movement.
Although the Taliban has not yet officially issued the music decree since the United States left Afghanistan in August leaving the Taliban back in power, it is largely understood that Taliban control means music is banned. The Taliban originally implemented the rule in 1996 until 2001 when U.S. troops and allies took control from the Taliban.
One eyewitness told the BBC that four couples were getting married during a joint wedding in Surkh Rod district in the province of Nangarhar on Friday. The BBC reported they had taken permission from a local Taliban leader to play recorded music in an area used only by the women.
During late-night hours, gunmen “forced their way inside and tried to smash the loudspeakers. When the guests protested, the armed men opened fire” reports the BBC. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claims the incident is under investigation.
Many musicians immediately fled Afghanistan as the Taliban returned to power. The Taliban has already been accused of murdering a folk singer and destroying musical instruments. The Taliban is known for its militant interpretation of Islamic Law and has been deemed a terrorist organization.
Since the Biden administration left Afghanistan, the Taliban has been publicly making strategic moves to appear to be more moderate as it looks for international recognition. The Taliban has created a government with Mujahid as the spokesman and claims to be willing to engage in talks with the United States, the United Nations, and other nations.
The Guardian, a left-wing media outlet, has taken down Osama bin Laden’s notorious “Letter to America” from its website this week after the words of the deceased terrorist mastermind, responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001, gained traction on social media.
The letter, which had been published on The Guardian’s website since 2002, resurfaced online, causing a sudden spike in traffic. Social media users unearthed and shared the anti-American and antisemitic content, propelling the document to viral status. The Guardian, acknowledging the increased circulation without the full context, opted to remove the transcript.
According to reports from Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for The Guardian stated, “The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.” The outlet declined to provide additional comments on the matter.
Osama bin Laden’s letter, translated into English, justified al-Qaeda’s attacks against the U.S. by citing American actions in Palestine. The deceased terrorist accused the U.S. of supporting the creation and continuation of Israel, labeling it one of the “greatest crimes” that must be erased. Bin Laden’s letter also propagated antisemitic tropes, claiming Jews control American policies, media, and the economy.
The 9/11 attacks, orchestrated by al-Qaeda, resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and left thousands more injured. The letter’s resurgence occurred as it was shared by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok, with some expressing a change in perspective. Pro-Palestinian activist Lynette Adkins was among those who shared the letter online, prompting discussions and reflections.
The Guardian’s decision to remove the letter from its website underscores the sensitivity surrounding the content and its potential impact, particularly as young individuals across America engage with pro-Palestinian talking points. The episode has sparked debates about the influence of social media in reshaping perceptions and the responsibility of media outlets in disseminating controversial historical documents.
-
Nation4 days agoGroup backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran hacked into PA Water Facility
-
education4 days agoCalls for Hofstra University President’s Resignation Over Statements on Israel-Hamas Conflict
-
Nation4 days agoElizabeth Warren Acknowledges Unintended Consequences of Obamacare
-
Nation3 days agoPolitical Gambit or Defense Strategy? Hunter Biden’s Aggressive Testimony Plans Stir Democratic Intrigue
