Zakir Naik speaks in favour of Taliban decision limiting women's education in Afghanistan

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after removing the Western-backed government. After taking power, they closed the path for Afghan women to attend school for higher education. However, education for them was kept in madrasas, where they can pursue higher studies in Islamic subjects.

Islamic speaker Dr Zakir Naik has spoken in favour of the Taliban government's position of closing girls' higher education in schools. He said the Taliban limited women's education because the security situation there is not good and there are not enough women teachers to teach girl students. So, in his view, their decision is right.

Zakir Naik said: “Not everything published in the media is true. If someone delays education because there is no proper teacher, there is no problem in that. In Afghanistan, girls have the opportunity to study in primary school up to class six. But their higher education is closed because there is no safe environment and not enough women teachers. However, Afghan women are doing master's degrees and PhDs in Islamic education and shariah.”

His opponents have been vocal on social media over these remarks. They say Zakir Naik is giving legitimacy to the Afghan Taliban's decision.

Former Afghan member of parliament Mariam Solaimankhil wrote on the matter: “According to Zakir Naik's logic, Afghan girls are not deprived of (higher) education. They are waiting for women teachers. The Taliban has banned exactly those women teachers from going to work. Extraordinary logic, doctor!!!”