Taliban official forces government to reopen schools for Afghan girls

In a rare and pointed critique of the Taliban’s policies, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, acting deputy foreign minister, has called on the Taliban leadership to reopen schools for Afghan girls. Speaking over the weekend, Stanekzai argued that the ongoing restrictions on girls’ education contradict Islamic Sharia law and have led to injustice against half of Afghanistan’s population.

Stanekzai urges to reopen schools for Afghan girls, says ban is against Sharia

“We ask the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open the doors of education,” Stanekzai said, according to local broadcaster Tolo. Citing the practices at the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), he added, “The doors of knowledge were open to both men and women.”

Stanekzai underscored the devastating effect of excluding education for Afghan women and girls, who constitute 20 million of the country’s 40 million population. “We are committing injustice against 20 million people,” he said, making his stance one of the strongest public challenges to Taliban policies from within its ranks.

Internal Disagreements on Education Policy

The closure of high schools and universities for girls has been widely attributed to orders from the Taliban’s supreme spiritual leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, despite reported internal disagreements. Although the Taliban initially promised to allow girls’ education after taking power in 2021, they made a significant reversal in 2022. Schools and universities for female students remain closed, with no clear timeline for reopening.

The Taliban claim that their policies are in line with Islamic law and Afghan culture, although these restrictions have sparked international condemnation. Prominent Islamic scholars and Western diplomats have condemned the bans, saying that they are a barrier to any formal recognition of the Taliban’s administration.

Stanekzai’s comments came at a time when Afghanistan continues to suffer increased international isolation following the way its women are being treated. Attempts to seek comment from the Taliban regime in Kandahar, where Haibatullah is located, were rebuffed.