Taliban Governor Claims Women in Afghanistan Have Freedoms Under Islamic Law

Abdullah Sarhadi, the Taliban governor of Bamiyan province, has asserted that women in Afghanistan currently enjoy legitimate freedoms, which he claims are defined within the framework of Islamic law.

Comments Made at the Graduation Ceremony of Darul Uloom Attaif Bamiyan

The Bamiyan provincial media office reported that Sarhadi made these statements during a ceremony celebrating the graduation of several female students from Darul Uloom Attaif in Bamiyan’s capital.

Criticism of Foreign Cultures and Emphasis on the Taliban’s System

The Taliban governor stated that over the past decades, foreign cultures and values contrary to Islamic principles had been imposed on Afghan society by occupying forces, particularly affecting women. He claimed that under Taliban rule, the framework for implementing Islamic laws has been established, allowing women to now enjoy legitimate freedoms as defined by Sharia.

Highlighting Women’s Status in Islam

Sarhadi referred to the high status of women as acknowledged in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, asserting that the Taliban government is committed to preserving this status and ensuring their religious rights.

Education and Hijab: Complementary Values for Muslim Women

In concluding his remarks, the Bamiyan governor emphasized that education and hijab are two fundamental and complementary values for Muslim women, urging them to observe hijab while pursuing education and contributing to society.

These comments come in the context of widespread restrictions imposed on women in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The Taliban have curtailed many of women’s fundamental rights, including access to secondary and higher education, employment in both public and private sectors, participation in public life, and engagement in social activities. International organizations have repeatedly described these actions as clear violations of human rights and a systematic exclusion of women from society.