Taliban Announces Open-Ended Rule in Afghanistan, Maintains Ban on Female Education
Kandahar, Aug 15 (AP) – The Taliban has declared its rule in Afghanistan to be open-ended, drawing its legitimacy from Islamic law and asserting that it faces no significant threat, according to the group’s chief spokesman. Zabihullah Mujahid indicated in an interview commemorating the second anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of the country that the ban on female education will continue to be enforced.
Mujahid dismissed questions from The Associated Press about restrictions on girls and women, stating that the status quo will be maintained. The ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade was the first in a series of restrictions that now prevent Afghan women from accessing education, most jobs, and much of public life.
The Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021, as US and NATO forces withdrew from the country after two decades of war. To mark the anniversary, Tuesday was declared a public holiday, but women, who are largely barred from public life, did not participate in the festivities.
In the Taliban’s spiritual birthplace of Kandahar, military personnel posed with armored vehicles, while in the capital city of Kabul, pick-up trucks filled with men and boys paraded through the streets. Boys posed with rifles as men swarmed Martyrs Square, taking selfies and climbing onto a monument.
After two years, it has become apparent that the seat of power lies in Kandahar, the hometown of supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, rather than the Taliban-led government in Kabul.
During the interview, Mujahid, who spoke calmly and politely, emphasized the Taliban’s adherence to Islamic law and their intention to remain in power indefinitely. He claimed that the current government is acting responsibly and that Afghans desire consensus and unity.
However, concerns remain about the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls. The ban on female education has been a topic of contention, with the Taliban arguing for gender segregation in classrooms and university campuses in accordance with their interpretation of Sharia law. Mujahid suggested that change in this regard is unlikely and that maintaining harmony among religious scholars is more important than reintegrating girls and women into educational institutions.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Washington, emphasized the importance of supporting the rights of women and girls in order to establish a more normal relationship between the Taliban and other countries. However, Mujahid expressed that international isolation and lack of recognition as Afghanistan’s legitimate government due to restrictions on women and girls are not pressing concerns for the Taliban leadership.
Aid agencies, rights groups, and the UN have issued statements condemning the Taliban’s rule and warning of the humanitarian crisis facing the Afghan population. World Vision estimates that the number of people in need of assistance has increased by approximately 5 million, with 15 million people facing crisis levels of food insecurity this year.
The Taliban government, on the other hand, listed its perceived accomplishments, including restoring personal safety and national pride, while not acknowledging the mass exodus of Afghans or the economic downturn resulting from the withdrawal of international aid. The Taliban have managed to avoid internal divisions and sustain their struggling economy by engaging in investment talks with capital-rich regional countries.
As Afghanistan grapples with these challenges under the ongoing rule of the Taliban, the international community continues to closely monitor the situation and seek avenues to support the rights and well-being of the Afghan people. The fate of women and girls under the Taliban’s restrictions remains a significant concern, with organizations and governments urging for change and the fulfillment of basic human rights.
