Afghanistan Peace CampaignAccording to the 17-article resolution, the participants recognized women’s education not only as a religious obligation but also as a vital societal need.
Participants of the Islamic countries’ conference in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, issued a resolution emphasizing the importance of women’s education.
According to the 17-article resolution, the participants recognized women’s education not only as a religious obligation but also as a vital societal need.
Part of the resolution reads: “Emphasizing that girls’ education is not only a religious obligation but also an urgent social necessity. It is a fundamental right safeguarded by divine laws, mandated by Islamic teachings, reinforced by international charters, and well-established by national constitutions.”
Article five of the resolution also warned against ideologies, norms, and cultural patterns that hinder girls’ education. Participants deemed such actions as misuse of religious principles to legitimize exclusionary policies against women.
The resolution adds: “Issuing cautions against extremist ideologies, fatwas, and opinions rooted in cultural norms and patterns that obstruct girls’ education, which constitute a regrettable perpetuation of societal biases against women. Such actions represent a grave misuse of religious principles to legitimize policies of deprivation and exclusion.”
“From an Islamic perspective, there is no prohibition against acquiring knowledge. Schools must reopen so that girls can continue their education and achieve their aspirations,” said Fatima, a teacher at a local school.
“The demand of all Afghan women and girls, like me, from the Islamic Emirate is to consider this part of Islamic rulings and work to implement it in the country by reopening schools and universities for girls,” said Ayesha, a university student.
Although the Islamic Emirate has yet to comment on the conference and its resolution, its spokesperson, in a recent video statement, highlighted the importance of both religious and modern sciences.
Zabihullah Mujahid said: “Do not oppose education anywhere. Religious sciences are a necessity for society, as are medical and engineering sciences. Scientific knowledge is the future of society, and all sciences are primarily necessary for religion.”
“Education is a religious duty and a social obligation that must be considered by the current authorities. Immediate steps must be taken to provide opportunities and allow women to pursue education, higher studies, and employment,” said Jannat Faheem Chakari, a political analyst.
Meanwhile, former President Hamid Karzai supported the resolution on the importance of women’s education.
In a statement issued by his office, it was noted: “Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, welcomes the final declaration of the Muslim World League conference in Islamabad on the opportunities and challenges of girls’ education in the Islamic world. He considers girls’ education an undeniable and fundamental right and deems its prohibition against national interests and the supreme welfare of the country as unjustifiable.”
The two-day conference held in Islamabad was attended by representatives from over forty Islamic countries and global organizations, but no representatives from the Islamic Emirate participated.