Islamic Scholars Oppose Taliban Minister's Stance on Girls' Education, Says Cleric

Sibghatullah Mawlawizada of Herat Darul Uloom has stated that the recent remarks by Taliban's Minister of Higher Education regarding the prohibition of girls' education reflect his personal opinion.

Mawlawizada added that religious scholars in Afghanistan and the Islamic world oppose this opinion. This prominent cleric, while emphasising on the importance of education for girls, challenged Neda Mohammad Nadeem to a scholarly debate.

On Monday, August 26, Mawlawizada, a well-known cleric, said in a video that the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education has even prohibited raising questions about girls' education.

With the Taliban flag by his side, Mawlawizada praised the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. He stressed on the importance of education for both men and women, urging the Taliban to provide educational opportunities for all in accordance with Islamic law.

He added that since the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education has invited scholars to share their religious opinions on girls' education in modern sciences, he welcomes this invitation and calls on Nadeem to engage in a public discussion about girls' education.

On Sunday, the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education, during a briefing on the ministry's activities, stated that those without religious authority should not act as religious scholars on the issue of women's education.

Nadeem warned reporters that just as women’s education is currently suspended, questioning it is also "suspended until further notice”.

The Taliban's Minister of Higher Education also asked religious scholars to prove, based on Hanafi jurisprudence, that women's education is permissible, claiming that if it can be proven, the issue will be resolved. He added that the group’s stance and policies on women’s education do not contradict "Islamic principles and Afghan traditions”.

The Taliban closed girls' schools above sixth grade and banned girls from attending university.