Hundreds of Afghan musicians given asylum in Portugal - in pictures
A group of 273 students, faculty members and their families from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music arrived in Portugal on Monday, where they are being granted asylum. AP Photo
Afghan musician Marzia Anwari, right, hugs Ahmad Naser Sarmast, founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, at Lisbon military airport. AP Photo
The Afghanistan National Institute of Music said the rescue operation was the largest of a self-contained Afghan community since the Taliban seized power of the country in August. AP Photo
Afghan music students board a bus after disembarking from a plane at Lisbon military airport. AP Photo
members of the group during a news conference at Lisbon airport. Reuters
Portuguese border police officers check the documents of the Afghan passengers. AP Photo
Under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law, singing, dancing and educating girls beyond primary school are banned. Reuters
Some of the young musicians left the commercial charter flight clutching new instruments, from drums to violins. AP Photo
Two Afghan boys carrying musical instruments disembark from the aircraft. AP Photo
