Amidst growing concerns and disapproval from within Afghanistan, the Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, addressed a poignant issue that has sparked public disconnect: the ban on women’s education. Stanikzai highlighted this contentious policy as a pivotal reason for the growing distance between the populace and the Taliban regime.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony organized by the Taliban’s Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Stanikzai emphasized the critical need to reopen schools for girls beyond the sixth grade. He underscored the significance of education, stating that a society devoid of knowledge remains in darkness.
“This is everyone’s right. This is the natural right that God and the prophet have given them, how can someone take this right from them? If anyone violates this right, this is an oppression against the Afghans and the people of this country,” Stanikzai asserted, acknowledging the gravity of depriving individuals of their fundamental rights.
The event, commemorating the graduation of students from educational institutions under the ministry’s auspices, provided a platform for senior Taliban officials to address the pressing issue. Acting Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs, Noorullah Noori, refuted claims of a disparity between religious and modern education, affirming that the education system under the Taliban’s rule maintains an integrated approach.
However, glaringly absent from the educational landscape is the inclusion of girl students above the sixth grade, who have been denied access to education since the Taliban’s rise to power. This exclusion has been a focal point of criticism and contention both within Afghanistan and globally, leading to increased tensions and disapproval of the Taliban’s governance.
Additionally, Habibullah Agha, the Taliban-appointed Acting Minister of Education, openly criticized the inadequacies within the religious education system, calling for a substantial improvement in its quality. Agha urged religious scholars and the Taliban leadership to prioritize the enhancement of educational standards in the country.
The statements made by senior Taliban officials signal a recognition of the public discord caused by the ban on women’s education and the urgent need to address the educational deficiencies within Afghanistan. The acknowledgment of these issues within the Taliban leadership hints at a potential shift in policy or, at the very least, a willingness to engage in dialogue regarding these critical concerns.
Sources By Agencies
