Afghan Sisters Defy Taliban with Music: The Last Torch Movement

In Kabul’s streets, amid fear and uncertainty, two sisters rise against Taliban oppression. Shaqayeq and Mashal ignite the Last Torch—a music movement challenging tyranny. Despite risks, they release songs, veiled in burkas but voices undeterred. Their melodies echo across social media, resonating with women’s struggles.

The Last Torch isn’t just music—it’s clandestine protest, defiance in a regime of silence. Threats loom, but Shaqayeq and Mashal persevere, driven by duty and vision. As the Taliban tightens its grip, the Last Torch shines brighter, a beacon of hope in dark times.

Their story inspires artists and ordinary women alike. It’s art transcending barriers, uniting hearts in defiance. As they write anthems, Shaqayeq and Mashal promise to keep the flame alive—never silenced, never surrendering. The Last Torch is more than music—it’s a promise of freedom.

Their journey began in August 2021, just days after the Taliban’s takeover, when they released a haunting melody accompanied by a poignant message: “We’re going to sing this but it could cost us our lives.” Donning burkas to conceal their identities, they became the unlikely champions of a cause they never imagined they would champion.

For Shaqayeq and Mashal, the Last Torch wasn’t just about music—it was a clandestine protest, a whisper of dissent in a cacophony of oppression. Under the veil of anonymity, they penned songs that echoed the frustrations, aspirations, and dreams of countless women shackled by the Taliban’s draconian decrees.

Their repertoire, though modest in number, struck a chord with women across Afghanistan, who saw in the Last Torch a flicker of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Each song became a rallying cry, a testament to the indomitable spirit of Afghan women who refused to be silenced.

As the Taliban tightened its grip on power, women’s freedoms dwindled, and the specter of gender apartheid loomed large. But amidst the chaos and despair, the Last Torch burned brighter, a beacon of hope in a sea of despair.

Their story has inspired countless others, from professional artists like Sonita Alizada to ordinary women who found solace and strength in their music. It’s a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend barriers, defy tyranny, and unite hearts in a common cause.

As Shaqayeq and Mashal continue to pen their anthems of defiance, they remain steadfast in their resolve. Their voice may be just a whisper in the wind, but it carries the hopes and dreams of a nation yearning to break free from the shackles of oppression.

For them, the Last Torch is not just a movement—it’s a promise. A promise to never be silenced, to never surrender, and to keep the flames of hope burning bright, even in the darkest of times.

(Note: Sisters’ names have been changed for safety)