Afghan music institute falls silent

The Afhganistan National Institue of Music is believed to have closed.

Established in 2010, the school is home to Zohra, the country's sole female orchestra. It performed at the British Museum in 2019.

Little has been heard from the institute since the Taliban's takeover. Its Founder, Dr Ahmad Sarmast, said the militant group has been searching for the keys.

Sarmast expressed hope the building would be able to reopen:

"Music is fading away from the air of Afghanistan so we need to keep an eye on what is happening and then act unitedly with the rest of the world," he told the BBC.