Stanekzai Declares: No Justification for Banning Education for Women and Girls | Amu TV

KHOST, Afghanistan — Abbas Stanekzai, the Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, has openly criticized the ban on education for women and girls. He argues that there is no valid reason for this ban and that it contradicts Islamic teachings.

At a recent event in Khost province, Stanekzai pointed out that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, both men and women had access to education. He gave historical examples to support his case against the Taliban’s restrictions.

“We urge our leaders to open the doors to education,” he stated. “There is no justification for keeping them shut. During the Prophet’s era, education was available to everyone. A significant part of our religious knowledge comes from Hazrat Aisha (may God be pleased with her). She was a knowledgeable woman, serving as a teacher and advisor to many.”

Stanekzai also highlighted the important roles played by female companions of the Prophet. They were educators who contributed greatly to the learning of male scholars. He insisted that current Taliban policies go against true Islamic values.

He expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s broad restrictions, describing them as unfair and un-Islamic. “Sadly, today, women face many barriers in our country,” he shared. “Schools and universities are closed, and even hospitals are inaccessible to women. They can’t seek medical help or enter mosques. How does this align with Sharia? Are we acting more justly than the Rightly Guided Caliphs?”

Stanekzai criticized the Taliban’s motivations, suggesting that their actions stem from cultural ideas rather than Islamic teachings. “If you call this ‘honor,’ that may be Afghan honor, but it is not Islamic honor,” he stated.

Currently, the Taliban prohibits girls from attending school beyond sixth grade and bars women from universities. Women are also not allowed to work with non-governmental organizations, further restricting their ability to engage in society.