Some families in Kabul say that their children’s attitudes toward the future have changed after listening to songs produced by the Taliban. They add that after hearing these songs, their children show greater curiosity about topics related to war and frequently use terms such as “suicide, jihad, and martyrdom” and other violent concepts in daily conversations and play. These families believe that repeated exposure and easy access to such content could influence children’s mindset and shape their worldview over time. They also told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that easy access to these songs via social media and mobile phones makes monitoring and controlling them difficult. According to the families, the absence of awareness programs and stricter oversight of violent content has increased their concerns about the intellectual and behavioral future of their children.
These families also criticized companies like Meta and YouTube, saying that despite regulations requiring review and removal of violent content, these songs remain readily accessible to children. One of the Taliban songs playing on the phone of Nooragha’s child (pseudonym) goes: “Oh Ghazi! Blow up the barrel, blow up the barrel. The caravan is passing by; be ready to strike it.”
Nooragha, a Kabul resident, says that at first, hearing these songs from his children seemed harmless, but after they asked questions about jihad and “whether killing people leads to paradise or not, and who kills more is considered a hero,” he could no longer take the songs lightly.
He adds that over time, these songs steer children toward violence and normalize religious wars. He warns that the Taliban deliberately try to instill their ideology from a young age, even within families. According to him, children and adolescents encounter extremism and violence in society, and the online space is filled with the group’s songs and propaganda. Continuing this trend could influence the next generation and push society toward moral decay and weakening of civil values.
Nooragha said: “Hearing these songs is terrifying for the next generation and could lead society toward moral collapse and the erosion of civil values. An ignorant group broadcasts its songs and messages through street and mosque loudspeakers, which, over time, drives young people toward ignorance and extremism. Families must pay attention to this issue so their children are not influenced by this propaganda; otherwise, correcting the situation later will be beyond their control.”
Ghazanfar, another Kabul resident, says that songs produced by the Taliban and singers associated with the group promote violence. He warns that if these songs are widely disseminated, there is a risk that children and adolescents could become a generation with extremist and violent viewpoints.
Ghazanfar adds, “The negative impact of these songs is stronger on children and adolescents because they might pick up guns. Unfortunately, with the Taliban’s methods of propaganda and socialization, the future of Afghanistan could be bleak. Instead of encouraging people toward peace and well-being, this content pushes society toward violence and extremism.”
Meanwhile, some sociologists say that Taliban songs can chart violent paths for children and adolescents. According to them, these songs not only influence the behavior and attitudes of young people but also steer their mindset toward accepting extremism and violence, posing a threat to the moral and social stability of society.
Rashid Siddiqi, a sociologist, says, “Unfortunately, this type of content has a negative impact and spreads deviation in society. This phenomenon is not a one- or two-year issue that can be quickly corrected to create a principled society. From sociological and psychological perspectives, promoting violence, war, and suicide has victimized the people of Afghanistan and presents serious challenges. Young people may also be drawn toward such behaviors and attitudes.”
Political experts also point out that the songs produced and released by the Taliban are not merely simple music; they are part of the group’s ideological propaganda and mobilization tools. In their view, these anthems glorify violence, war, and martyrdom, portraying death in battle as honor and salvation, and thereby encourage the younger generation to accept violence and extremism. By producing these songs and restricting other music, the Taliban weaken a culture of peace and tolerance and promote religious wars in society.
Shahla Farid, a political analyst, says: “Taliban songs are not just simple music; they are a key part of the Taliban’s propaganda and ideological mobilization. Often released without musical instruments across various networks, these anthems have become one of the Taliban’s main psychological warfare tools since 2001, and their primary feature is the glorification of war and martyrdom. The pressures the Taliban impose on people normalize violence and amplify its impact on the younger generation. Other types of music are prohibited, but these songs are produced extensively, undermining the culture of peace and dialogue.”
Akhtar Mohammad Rasikh, a historian and political expert, adds: “Songs created to unify youth and encourage them toward war and jihad can fuel regional conflict, and neighboring countries could get caught in the same fire.” He emphasizes that in a context where many citizens of Afghanistan lack access to education and economic opportunities, such epic songs with Islamic and jihadist themes push young people toward war and violence, with potentially cross-border and destructive consequences.
Although the Taliban have declared music forbidden and banned its broadcasting in Afghanistan, the songs they produce themselves are considered permissible and are disseminated at ceremonies, on television, radio, vehicles, and on Taliban patrol motorcycles.
The most famous of these songs include phrases such as “Oh Ghazi! Blow up the barrel, blow up the barrel. The caravan is passing by; be ready to strike it.” I come to Iran with a train of yellow shells,” and “Our leader Mullah Yaqoob will reform Iran, the world witnesses that Shia are oppressive, we will launch a great revolution in Iran.”
Experts say that the lyrics of these songs encourage people toward religious wars, suicide, and violence, while a large portion of the people of Afghanistan follow Shia Islam.
Previously, the Taliban displayed yellow shells as symbols of their warfare in museums and also targeted caravans of the country’s former defense forces.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
ترویج خشونت و نهادینه سازی ایدئولوژی؛ چگونه ترانههای طالبان کودکان را به میدان جنگ میکشانند؟
