The Ariana Cinema in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, has been demolished to make way for a new shopping mall. A bulldozer started dismantling the building last week, and a 3.5 million shopping center, designed to hold more than 300 shops, restaurants, a hotel, and a mosque on eight floors, will rise in its place, according to Nematullah Barakzai, a spokesman for the Kabul municipality.

The theater, which had remained closed since 2021, when the Taliban swept back to power, had stood as a landmark in the city's center, a reminder of art, culture, and pleasure for many Afghans. It had been a witness to Afghanistan's modern history, from the cosmopolitan vibrancy of the 1960s to the silencing and repression that followed not one but two Taliban takeovers.

The destruction of the Ariana Cinema is an indication of the ideological and economic priorities of the Taliban administration, which is desperate for new sources of funding because of Western sanctions and the loss of foreign aid. The administration is seeking to revitalize the economy, which grew by 4.3 percent this year, according to the World Bank, but per capita is shrinking due to the influx of returning refugees, swelling the population.

Barakzai stated that the new shopping center will be a major economic boost for the city, providing jobs and opportunities for local businesses. However, critics argue that the destruction of the cinema is a loss of cultural heritage and a symbol of the Taliban's restrictive policies.

The Ariana Cinema had been a significant cultural landmark in Kabul, hosting many famous films and events over the years. Its destruction is a reminder of the Taliban's efforts to suppress art, culture, and entertainment, which are seen as un-Islamic.

The Taliban's economic priorities are driven by the need to generate revenue in the face of Western sanctions and the loss of foreign aid. The administration has been seeking to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on foreign aid, but critics argue that this is being done at the expense of cultural heritage and human rights.

The demolition of the Ariana Cinema is the latest in a series of cultural and historical sites destroyed by the Taliban in recent years. The administration has been accused of prioritizing economic development over cultural preservation, and critics argue that this is a loss for Afghan society as a whole.

The construction of the new shopping center is expected to be completed within the next two years, and it will be a major economic hub in the city. However, the destruction of the Ariana Cinema remains a contentious issue, and its loss will be felt by many Afghans who saw it as a symbol of their country's rich cultural heritage.