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A year on from the Taliban takeover of Kabul on 15th August 2021, Sahar Zand talks to some of the Afghans who featured in her 2019 World Service programme Afghan Stars, which told the story of a ground-breaking TV music talent show in Afghanistan, which was won for the first time by a female singer. The Taliban had singled out the programme for special criticism, as it both promoted music, which their spokesman considered ‘haram’ (forbidden), and because it promoted the voices of women, which, he had said, should not be heard in public. The current situations of the musicians and media personalities whom Sahar has traced are a mirror of what Afghans have experienced in the past twelve months.

Afghanistan's leading female pop singer Aryana Sayeed talked in the original programme about a Taliban pronouncement against her that she should be beheaded. She was in Kabul as the Taliban arrived, but managed to escape to safety on a US cargo plane. She has since become a symbol for Afghan musicians, being invited to perform at the European Parliament, and speak at a NATO event. Sahar meets her at a stadium concert she is giving in Hamburg.

Sadiqa Madadgar was one of the contestants in Afghan Star, who was criticised for singing a love duet with a male fellow contestant. She went into hiding when the Taliban arrived, but managed to flee to Dohar, where she spent nine months in a refugee camp.

Afghan Star producer Masood Sanjer still works for Tolo TV, which is still broadcasting in Afghanistan – however, he and his team have relocated to Istanbul, and operate from there. He talks about the current state of music, and musicians, in Afghanistan.

Image: Aryana Sayeed (Credit: Sherzaad Entertainment)