Taliban Mandates Mandatory Religious Oral Exam at Universities
The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has issued an official directive making oral exams on “Brief Faith” and “Detailed Faith” compulsory for all employees and students of public and private universities, as well as teaching hospitals. The ministry has warned that failure to cooperate with this process will result in administrative prosecution.
According to the directive dated July 8, issued by the Ministry’s Department of Invitation and Guidance, all individuals involved in relevant institutions are obligated to participate in the oral exam covering religious topics. The document emphasizes that names of those who refuse to attend or cooperate with the exam will be referred to the Department of Invitation and Guidance.
The Ministry of Higher Education has also called on universities and teaching hospitals to prepare the necessary administrative and technical facilities to hold these exams in an “organized” manner. The ministry stated that actions against non-compliant individuals will be conducted according to “applicable scientific and administrative regulations.”
This decision turns the evaluation of religious subjects into a mandatory administrative procedure within higher education institutions, continuing the Taliban’s previous policies in the education sector. Earlier measures have included banning girls from attending universities, altering curricula, expanding the Department of Invitation and Guidance, and increasing religious programs at universities.
