Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have voiced strong opposition to the Taliban’s decision to ban women from studying health-related disciplines, including nursing and midwifery. They described the move as “heartbreaking” and urged the Taliban to reconsider, highlighting the importance of education for both genders as emphasized in Islam. The cricketers called for restoring Afghan girls’ right to education to help them contribute to the nation’s progress.
Rashid Khan, in a heartfelt post on X, stressed the significance of education in Islam and its role in empowering both men and women. “The Quran underscores the pursuit of knowledge for all,” he wrote. Reflecting on the closure of educational and health institutions for Afghan women, he called it a decision that severely impacts the nation’s future. Rashid expressed concern about the lack of female healthcare professionals, which jeopardizes the well-being and dignity of Afghan women, and appealed to the Taliban to reverse the ban. “Providing education is a moral and societal responsibility deeply rooted in our faith and values,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mohammad Nabi labeled the ban as “deeply unjust” and a betrayal of Afghanistan’s future. He emphasized Islam’s rich history of Muslim women contributing to society through education and urged the Taliban to honor those principles. “Denying girls the opportunity to learn and serve their country undermines their dreams and the nation’s development. Let our daughters study, grow, and build a better Afghanistan,” Nabi stated.
The Taliban’s latest restriction, reportedly ordered by the group’s supreme leader, has drawn widespread condemnation. According to reports from educational institutions, affected facilities have been given a 10-day period to conduct final exams before the rule is enforced. While the Taliban has not officially announced the ban, international bodies, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the European Union, have expressed grave concerns.
UNAMA warned that the directive, if implemented, would exacerbate Afghanistan’s healthcare crisis and hinder its development. The EU also condemned the ban, describing it as a violation of women’s rights and a significant step backward for access to education in the country.
This move is the latest in a series of measures restricting Afghan women’s rights since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 under their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
