Music technologist Ahmad Sarmast founded Afghanistan's national music institute, and received the Polar Prize 2018 for his efforts to build the country's music life after the previous Taliban regime.
In the 1990s, the Taliban banned music - it was not allowed to practice or listen to it.
Taliban: Music not allowed
In a high-profile interview in the New York Times, a Taliban spokesman says music is not allowed, but is vague if it will be formally banned.
The spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said: "Music is forbidden in Islam.
But we hope we can persuade people not to do such things, instead of pressuring them. "
The idea that music is forbidden according to Islam is not generally accepted, and comes from a hadith (religious scripture), whose reliability is questioned.
"Risk of serious consequences"
According to Ahmad Sarmast, the statement sends a clear message to the country's population and music life.
- There is no official music ban, but in practice the Taliban are now attacking the country's music scene, he says.
In addition to his own music school having to close the gates, the Taliban are said to have stormed weddings and confiscated music equipment, according to Ahmad Sarmast.
He claims that the Taliban in secret have also issued decrees to the media and radio stations, with instructions to stop playing music.
Now he calls on the outside world to react.
- A music ban in Afghanistan risks having serious consequences not only for the country, but for the global music heritage, he says.
See and hear Ahmad Sarmast in the video above.