Following its ban on music, Taliban militants have recently bombed several music shops in Pakistan, claiming they are un-Islamic.
Penulis: Mudassar Shah
Editor:
Following its ban on music, Taliban militants have recently bombed several music shops in Pakistan, claiming they are un-Islamic.
But the more pressure there is to ban music, the more people find innovative ways to keep listening to their favourite songs.
In the tribal and often volatile area of Khyber Agency, young people are now using their cells phones to circumvent the rules.
It’s a hot summer afternoon and 23-year-old Rafi Ullah is waiting for a taxi to take him to Landi Kotal bazaar.
He’s planning a party tonight but has arranged to meet his friend at the market first.
Without his friend – and his cell phone memory card – he won’t be able to buy new music for the event.
“I am teacher in the area where the militants have a stronghold. I have beard, so it is culturally inappropriate for a teacher or person with a beard to attend music programs or listen to music. Therefore, I have to ask for help from my friend to fill my memory card with music, and he is waiting for me at the bazaar. I want to get some Pashtu songs on my cell phone for the music party tonight at our male guest house.”
Rafi is picked up by 25-year-old taxi driver, Ashna Gul. Ashna has been driving taxis in the tribal areas for more than a decade.
But as the Taliban has banned music, he can’t have a tape recorder or stereo in his taxi.
Like Rafi, he uses his cell phone too.
“I use my cell phone to listen to songs as Taliban militants have banned tape recorders and music. They fine and punish drivers who keep music.”
Here at the bazaar, Rafi warmly meets his friend and hands over his memory card.
These days young Pakistanis in the tribal regions use their cell phones to store Pashtu and Indian music, and watch western and pornographic movies.
Several shopkeepers at the bazaar fill the memory cards, but it’s a risky business.
Last month Taliban militants bombed 12 shops and shopkeepers are fearful they will be attacked further if they continue.
21 year old Irfan Khan started his memory card business three years ago.
He has a computer in his shop for filling the memory cards and lives near the bazaar.
A student from a poor familiy, Irfan started the business with $300 and earns 0 a day. But he says he used to earn double that when he was selling porn movies too.
“The militants bombed one of my shops last month and since then my mother called me immediately when she hears any blast. We receive threats but we did not pay heed to it. Even though it is risky and dangerous, I still can’t start any other business because we don’t have money to invest.”
Religous leaders too, are getting angry about the way young people are using their phones.
During Friday prayers, some imams describe mobile phones as a “curse from god.”
And parents who buy their children cell phones, they say, are destroying their children’s future.
But not all Pakistanis agree with the rules.
It’s close to midnight now and Rafi and his friends have turned on the new Pashtu music on his cell phone. Some of his friends dance in circles while others clap.
One person stands near the main gate for security after the militants attacked a music party in the same area last month.
Rafi is just happy to have his friends togther enjoying the new music, even though they have to be careful.
“I enjoy music programs very much. However, I can’t dance in music parties because the security situation is worse here and we are afraid if the militants would know then they would punish us by hitting stripes. The militants punish if they would find a song in cell phones even if people have not listened. Had the militants come to know about the dance party, then only Allah can save such people from their punishment.”
Rihan Khan is one of Rafi’s cousins.
As his 4-year-old daughter dances by his side, Rihan says he is concerned about the Taliban’s grip.
“Apparently, Taliban militants don’t have strong hold in the area but secretly, they are very powerful. I am worried as there might be some of their supporters even at the tonight music party. People don’t trust over brothers these days. I still enjoy music as I have attended such music party after a long time with brothers, friends and my children.”
Ironically, most tribal youth rarely use their cell phones to communicate.
Rather, cell phones offer them a way to enjoy the music and movies they would otherwise never see.
