Taliban's Call to Open Doors of Education for Afghan Girls Gains Strength

The Taliban's acting deputy foreign minister, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, called on leadership to lift education bans on Afghan girls. Highlighting a clash with Islamic Sharia law, Stanekzai's comments mark significant internal criticism of the policy, which continues to isolate the Taliban internationally.

In a significant challenge to Taliban policy, acting deputy foreign minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai urged the group's leadership to open schools for Afghan girls, contradicting a stance that has hampered the administration's global relations.

Stanekzai, notable for leading negotiation efforts in Doha prior to the U.S. withdrawal, emphasized that the exclusion of girls from education is inconsistent with Islamic Sharia law. He referenced historical openness to education for both genders during the Prophet Muhammad's time.

The call for change has highlighted internal disagreement within the Taliban and drawn widespread criticism. Western diplomats maintain that any international recognition of the Taliban hinges on policy changes regarding women's education.

(With inputs from agencies.)