Under the reinstated Taliban rule in 2021, women in Afghanistan are stripped of basic rights and freedoms due to severe restrictions. But among these women are two sisters who have started their own movement against oppression through music. Wearing blue burqas, they started a musical movement called “The Last Torch.” Protected by anonymity, they took it upon themselves to perform songs that resonated with many women across the country.
The sisters, whose names have been changed to Shakaik and Mashal to protect their identities, said in an interview with the BBC: Before the Taliban came to power, we had never written a single poem. This is what the Taliban did to us. ”
The BBC reported that just days after returning to power, the Taliban implemented their vision in Afghanistan, which included a ban on girls' education. When she took to the streets to protest the restrictions placed on women's daily lives, many faced “severe repression.”
“The woman was the last ray of hope we could see,” Shakaik told the BBC. “That's why we decided to call ourselves The Last Torch. We thought we weren't going anywhere and decided to start a secret protest from our homes,” she added.
One of the songs they performed was a famous poem written by the late Nadia Anjuman, the BBC reported. She wrote the song as a form of protest against the Taliban's initial occupation of Afghanistan in 1996.
Their video went viral on social media. Here is one of his videos where the sisters are wearing blue burkas and singing a song.
According to the BBC, singing under Taliban rule is punishable and the sisters are well aware of this. Shakayek said he spent many nights thinking the Taliban would eventually identify them.
“We saw their threats on social media: 'Once we get you, we'll know how to remove your tongue from your throat.'” I feel scared every time I read it. They say maybe enough is enough, they should quit…but we tell them they can't do it, they can't continue living a normal life.” Mashal added.
The sisters left the country last year for their own safety. However, they hope to return to their hometown soon.
