The Political Deputy Foreign Minister, Shir Mohammad Abas Stanikzai, is one of those officials of IE who is always in favor of girls’ education and in every statement he stressed the reopening the doors of schools and universities to Afghan girls and consider it their right.
During his visit to the Afghan Consulate in the United Arab Emirates, Stanikzai emphasized once again that the doors of education should not be closed to anyone and there is no difference between religious and modern education, they are equal and it is a mandatory for men and women to be educated.
He said that modern education is for augmenting of the religion and learning it is important and obligatory.
He added: “I and my friends are of the opinion that the doors of knowledge should not be closed to anyone be it male or female, knowledge is obligatory on them. Whether it is modern or religious knowledge, first of all, there is no difference between them, because modern knowledge is for the strengthening of religion. IE is trying to solve the problem and reopen the doors of schools to all.”
The Deputy uttered that he has held meetings with the leaders of the IE to provide education to girls, presented the reasons, and is trying to solve the problem.
He said that 98 percent of the country’s religious scholars believed that the doors of education should be reopened for Afghan girls.
He added: “We have presented our reasons to the leaders of the IE, we have held meetings with them and 98 percent of the religious scholars believed that women’s education should be freed. Of course there are some contrary opinions as well in the body of the IE. We cannot fight with them. We are trying to solve the problem.”
Meanwhile, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West called Afghan girls’ education an important issue related to human rights, which according to him is essential for the stability in Afghanistan.
West emphasized that the doors of education should be reopened for girls in Afghanistan.
He added: “The US insists on reopening the doors for girls’ education, which is a matter of human rights and is also a fundamental issue for stability in a country like Afghanistan.”
After the IE seized the political power in Afghanistan, they closed the doors of schools for girls and it has been about a year and a half that girls’ schools have been closed beyond 6th grade and they have also closed universities against women. According to the authorities of the IE, the Interim Government is not opposed to girls’ education within the framework of Sharia and the postponement is also temporary.
