The Taliban spokesman confirmed that music is banned and referred to the restrictions placed on women in Afghanistan.

“We want to build the future and forget what happened in the past”, noted Zabihullah Mujahid, one of the Taliban leaders, in an interview with The New York Times, while dismissed fears and accusations that the group might take revenge on those who oppose them and want to re-enforce tough controls on women as they did when they ruled Afghanistan 20 years ago.

The leader’s remarks, which marked the first time the Taliban had spoken exclusively to Western media since taking power, came a day after he took power. warn women in Afghanistan that they are more likely to stay home until more grassroots fighters are trained on how not to mistreat them.

Following the recent seizure of power, the Taliban encountered a scenario of changes in afghan society compared to when they controlled the country two decades ago. Most of these changes concern women, who for years were free to dress without any restrictions and who appreciated being able to study and work.

Although he tried to move closer to Western traditions, the spokesperson confirmed that music will not be allowed in public. “Music is prohibited in Islam. We hope we can persuade people not to do these things, instead of pressuring them. “, he warned.

In an interview with the New York Times, Mujahid suggested that, in the longer term, women will be free to resume their daily activities, while ensuring that the concern that the Taliban will force them again to stay at home or cover their faces is unfounded.

Besides, He said the requirement that they travel accompanied by a male guardian, known as a mahram, is confusing and that in reality this condition only applies to trips of three or more days.

“If they go to school, office, university or hospital, they don’t need a mahram”Mujahid, the main spokesperson for the Taliban, told US media.

He also assured that there will be guarantees for Afghans trying to leave the country and that those with valid travel documents will not be prevented from entering the airport in any way.

“We have said that people who do not have valid documents cannot leave,” he said. “They need passports and visas for the countries they are going to, and then they can leave by plane. If their documents are valid, we will not ask what they did before “, he clarified.

On the other hand, he rejected allegations that the Taliban hunted down interpreters and others who worked for the US military, and asserted that they will be safe in the country.

Regarding the evacuation operations from Western countries, Mujahid said that “They should not interfere in our country and take our human resources: doctors, teachers and other people we need here”. “In America, they could be dishwashers or cooks. It’s inhuman, ”he added.

Mujahid, who in recent years has served as a key link between the Taliban and the media, could soon become the new Minister of Information and Culture. He is fluent in Pashto and Dari, the main languages ​​of the country, and describes himself as a native of Paktia province and a graduate in Islamic jurisprudence from the famous Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa in Pakistan.

Mujahid expressed his hope your group has a good relationship with the international community in areas such as the fight against terrorism, opium eradication and the reduction of refugees to the West.

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