Music and Politics in Afghanistan

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This study analyzed Afghanistan's national anthems in the last seven decades. This qualitative textual analysis found that national anthems from both secular and Islamic regimes included political visions of the ruling groups. In particular, during the Taliban, the Mujahedeen, and the communist eras, the national anthems had more aggressive tones. Although the Taliban regimes are known as Islamic extremists, the national anthem of the first Taliban era did not include anything about religion; rather, it focused on the history of defeating Western occupation of Afghanistan.