Wrong ringtone can get you killed in Afghanistan (Ringtone Inside)

[beer]

Afghan women take pictures with their cell phone.

The wrong ringtone can get you killed in the unpredictable and dangerous world of Afghanistan.

Thugs at Taliban checkpoints will often check the cells of travelers for hints of their allegiance.

If your ringtone is Lady Gaga, for instance, the militant group might view it as pro-American and react with hostility or even deadly violence.

As a result, many residents are forced to stock up on Taliban-friendly ringtones in case they are stopped at checkpoints.

"If they search your phone and see your videos and songs, they will think you are their sympathizer," Haji Mohammad Khan, a Kabul grocer who often travels out of the city and into more dangerous areas, tells the Wall Street Journal. "On occasion, it can save your life."

Ironically, the miltant group’s ringtones are not hard to find.

The Taliban have 40 singers that produce on average of one 12-song album every month, a spokesperson for the group tells the Wall Street Journal. An Afghan shopkeeper uploads Taliban songs and ringtones into customers' phones for $2, The Journal reports. And business is good.

Taliban ringtones include the titles "Teenager," "Doomsday" and "Suicide Bomber," according to the WSJ. Lyrics for "Doomsday" obtained by The Journal, include "Its Judgment Day for the Satan of the West ... The evening is blazing, blazing ... The sound of machine guns can be heard." For "Suicide Bomber," the song begins like this: "Young hero, martyrdom seeker (suicide bomber), you went up into flames ... You burned like a moth, young hero, martyrdom seeker ... You are the Muslims' atomic bomb."

Afghan travelers will often carry two SIM cards, one with their personal information and music, and one with pro-Taliban sentiments and ringtones, if they need it in a pinch.

"If you are going 30 or 60 miles outside of Kabul, you will surely find Taliban on the road," a member of President Hamid Karzai's government tells the WSJ. "If you have Indian music or Afghan music ringtones, they will tell you that you are not obeying Islamic rules and, in most cases, break our mobiles."

Or worse. Travelers who are unprepared for the checkpoints have been forced to swallow SIM cards, had phones broken on their heads and been interrogated for hours, according to The Journal. And on occasion, people have been killed, Afghans believe.

According to the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, 1,462 civilians were killed in Afghanistan during the first six months of 2011. It is not known how many of those lost their lives because of their cell phones, but many terrified Afghans are not going to take any chances.

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source)

OK, I admit I couldn't read this article with a straight face. The songs lyrics are quite ... extraordinary ... Kanye West should take some notes.

The real question now is: are the song uploads legit and is the RIAA working with the Taliban to bait and sue these uploader/downloaders? :think:

[shought]

Afghan travelers will often carry two SIM cards, one with their personal information and music, and one with pro-Taliban sentiments and ringtones, if they need it in a pinch.

SIM cards are (generally) not used to store music files, it is possible, but highly unlikely.

Either the writer meant to say SD card, or his source meant to say SD card or his source is just making stuff up.

Funny nevertheless, I'd never go to a country like this...

[Atasas]

Mhuhaha!

Luckily in A-stan, just the other day guy next to me had "taliban" type of ringtone... nearly pooped myself when it roared next to me :rolf:

[Alanon]

SIM cards are (generally) not used to store music files, it is possible, but highly unlikely.

Either the writer meant to say SD card, or his source meant to say SD card or his source is just making stuff up.

Was about to say that!! XDDDDD

Anyway, beer, I think that they are working closely with the Taliban on a class action suit, and the Taliban are only recording copyright infringers. That's the only reason why they're looking in their phones.

[beer]

SIM cards are (generally) not used to store music files, it is possible, but highly unlikely.

Either the writer meant to say SD card, or his source meant to say SD card or his source is just making stuff up.

Nice spot. I think they probably meant SD cards. I haven't come across any 2g GSM phones that allows saving of mp3 songs to the sim.

[beer]

Anyway, beer, I think that they are working closely with the Taliban on a class action suit, and the Taliban are only recording copyright infringers. That's the only reason why they're looking in their phones.

We can't blame them right Talibans needs money too and who better to hire than the RIAA with their ability to produce cash out of nothing. The RIAA can probably teach the Taliban a thing or two about executing terrorism within the boundary of the law.

RIAA understood all along that paying off rotten politicans is the way to strike at America, and it will cause more damage than flying a plane into any US structure. By paying off rotten US politicians, the RIAA now has the power to get the congress to pass a law that will actually break the internet(which will probably destroy many small even medium sized businesses). What is even more amazing is that, in the end the RIAA will be glorified as an organization that fought against piracy to protect businesses and created jobs. They don't have to worry about any silly military strike or hide in caves -- they are the professionals.

:cheers:

[implague]

total idiocy they even dont hav right to choose their ringtone

[myidisbb]

why isnt their the payment system and the sites nto beign blocked? total bs. thugs are right on the mark.