KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban have removed at least 16 university lecturers from Islamic studies faculties in five provinces, reportedly over disagreements with the group’s ideological views, according to local sources.
Sources familiar with the matter told Amu that the dismissals took place in the provinces of Ghazni, Bamiyan, Logar, Panjshir, and Paktika. The affected professors were affiliated with departments focused on Islamic scholarship and education.
An official letter from the Taliban, a copy of which was reviewed by Amu, said the changes were part of efforts to “improve and clarify processes within educational institutions.”
Meftahuddin Azam, Taliban’s head of academic appointments and promotions at the Ministry of Higher Education, confirmed the removals, but framed them as administrative reassignments rather than dismissals. “These lecturers have been transferred to administrative roles,” he said.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have reshaped Afghanistan’s education sector, especially in areas related to religious instruction, often replacing university staff and curriculum content to align with their interpretation of Islamic law.
Rights groups and education advocates have raised concerns over academic freedom and the increasing ideological control the Taliban have exerted over higher education institutions in the country.
