The leader of the Taliban has made a notable, albeit infrequent, appearance at a university in Afghanistan, marking his first recorded visit to an institution of modern education. Hibatullah Akhundzada, during his attendance at Kandahar University on Wednesday, emphasized the significance of secular subjects while addressing a wide audience comprising the university’s administration, educators, staff, and students, as reported by government representatives. However, there were no official documents, photographs, or recordings made available from this event.
Ziaullah Hashmi, a spokesperson for the Higher Education Ministry, relayed Akhundzada’s message to the audience in Kandahar, where he highlighted the equivalence of religious schools and universities, underscoring the necessity to support both forms of education. The leader’s discourse acknowledged the importance of acquiring knowledge and balanced the relevance of both religious instruction and contemporary education.
The Taliban regime has shown a preference for Islamic teachings over fundamental secular skills such as reading and writing, associating this with an expansion of madrassas, or Islamic schools, across the nation. However, Akhundzada’s remarks signal a potential shift in attitude towards modern education, or at least a recognition of its significance in a nation grappling with severe humanitarian and economic issues.
“You should study both religious and worldly things (modern education),” Akhundzada was quoted as saying. He encouraged students to dedicate themselves to serving their faith, remarking on their high status within society. He noted that the contributions of students from madrassas, schools, and universities are respected and valued.
Furthermore, he urged students to document the histories of Afghanistan’s fighters and heroes to enhance their global recognition. Akhundzada encouraged them to strive for attracting foreign interest to learn from their experiences, asserting that knowledge would empower them to influence the world.
Notably absent from the event were any women. Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, Akhundzada has implemented rules limiting the educational opportunities available to women and girls. Currently, girls are barred from pursuing their education beyond the sixth grade, including at the university level. There are ongoing concerns and unverified reports regarding a cessation of medical training for women.
These educational restrictions imposed on women and girls present significant obstacles for the Taliban in their quest for international recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Recently, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court reported that he has sought arrest warrants for two high-ranking Taliban officials, including Akhundzada, due to their oppressive measures against women.
