How does the attack of September 11th have any bearing on Afghan music today?
Well, there are many examples, but I d like to give you a particularly poignant example that was reported in the New York Times last week. The article describes a young Afghan-American who was inspired to learn to play the rabab the traditional Afghan plucked lute after he heard about the Taliban s attempt to ban music in his native country. He felt that it was his duty to keep his cultural heritage alive by becoming an Afghan musician himself. Yet, after the events of September 11th, this young man has not been able to play concerts, out of respect for the victims of the attacks. But also I think more importantly he fears that other Americans will see his musical performances as a celebration of these terrorist acts. • Now, this is a completely opposite view of how we in the West use music often to bring a community together, to bring them together to be able to mourn, or to remember; and, I think concerts are being organized all around the country in memory of the victims of the atta
