Introduction to Education in Afghanistan

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has been enforcing a ban on girls’ education beyond the 6th grade, leaving many young girls without access to formal education. This ban has been in place for three years, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to deny girls the right to secondary and higher education.

The Impact of the Ban

The ban has had a devastating impact on the lives of many girls in Afghanistan. Nahideh, a 13-year-old girl, is one such example. She works in a cemetery, collecting water from a nearby shrine to sell to mourners visiting loved ones’ graves. Despite her dream of becoming a doctor, she knows it’s a futile dream due to the lack of access to education. She will be enrolling in a madrassa, a religious school, to learn about the Quran and Islam, but little else.

The Rise of Madrassas

With no option for higher education, many girls and women are turning to madrassas instead. The Tasnim Nasrat Islamic Sciences Educational Center in Kabul is one such example. The center has roughly 400 students, ranging in ages from 3 to 60, with 90% being female. They study the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and Arabic, the language of the Quran.

The Only Learning Allowed

According to Zahid-ur-Rehman Sahibi, director of the Tasnim Nasrat Islamic Sciences Educational Center, many girls see madrassas as an opportunity to stay engaged in learning and studying religious sciences. Most Afghans are religious, and even before the schools were closed, many used to attend madrassas. However, after the closure of schools, the interest in madrassas has increased significantly.

Studying the Quran

At the Tasnim Nasrat center, students kneel at small plastic tables on the carpeted floor, tracing lines of Arabic script in their Qurans. All the young women wear black niqabs, leaving only their eyes visible. Faiza, a 25-year-old student, had enrolled at the center five months earlier. She believes it is essential for girls and women to study at a madrassa, as the Quran is the word of Allah, and they are Muslims.

A Controversial Ban

The female secondary and higher education ban has been controversial in Afghanistan, even within the ranks of the Taliban itself. Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai said in a public speech that there was no justification for denying education to girls and women. His remarks were not well tolerated by the Taliban leadership, and he is now officially on leave and believed to have left the country.

The Importance of Religious Education

For some in this deeply conservative society, the teachings of Islam are hard to overstate. Mullah Mohammed Jan Mukhtar, who runs a boys’ madrassa north of Kabul, believes that learning the Holy Quran is the foundation of all other sciences. He stresses the importance of religious education for women, as it helps them understand the rights of their husbands, in-laws, and other family members.

Conclusion

The ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the lives of many young girls. With no access to formal education, many are turning to madrassas to learn about the Quran and Islam. While some believe that religious education is essential, others argue that it is not enough. The international community has condemned the ban, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the future.

FAQs

• Q: What is the current situation with girls’ education in Afghanistan?
  A: The Taliban government has banned girls from secondary school and university, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to do so.
• Q: What are madrassas, and why are they becoming popular among girls in Afghanistan?
  A: Madrassas are religious schools that focus on teaching the Quran and Islamic sciences. Many girls are turning to madrassas as an alternative to formal education, which is currently banned.
• Q: What is the impact of the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan?
  A: The ban has had a devastating impact on the lives of many young girls, limiting their future prospects and opportunities.
• Q: Are there any efforts to reverse the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan?
  A: There have been some efforts to reverse the ban, including statements from Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai, but so far, the Taliban leadership has not changed its stance.
• Q: What is the role of religious education in Afghanistan, and how does it impact girls’ lives?
  A: Religious education is highly valued in Afghan society, and many believe it is essential for girls to learn about the Quran and Islamic sciences. However, others argue that it is not enough and that girls should have access to formal education as well.