Female protesters have called on religious scholars to break their silence regarding the Taliban’s treatment of women in Afghanistan, which they describe as oppressive and a violation of human rights.
The protesters argue that, over the past three years, the Taliban has systematically undermined women’s rights through harsh and authoritarian interpretations of religion. They expressed disappointment that religious scholars have not publicly condemned these actions.
“We expect the scholars to stand by the women and condemn the Taliban’s behavior as contrary to religion and Sharia,” said Maryam Maroof Arwin, a member of the women’s protest movement.
According to protesters and citizens, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including the closure of schools and universities.
“The silence of the country’s religious scholars in the face of the Taliban’s crimes under the guise of religion and Sharia is questionable for us. The country’s religious scholars should no longer remain silent towards the Taliban’s misuse of religion,” Arwin added.
A Kabul resident echoed these sentiments: “It has been a long time since the schools were closed for us, and this is a massive injustice. The religious scholars have been silent during this time. How will they answer to God?”
The call for support from religious scholars follows recent inflammatory remarks by Yahya Anabi, a pro-Taliban Imam in Panjshir, who suggested that Tamana Zaryab Paryani, a prominent protester, should have been publicly stripped for her criticisms.
Despite mounting pressure from the international community, including condemnation from Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who termed the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education as contrary to Islam, the Taliban has shown no signs of easing its policies.
The women’s protest movement continues to seek solidarity from religious leaders to challenge the Taliban’s oppressive measures and advocate for the rights of women in Afghanistan.
