Iran Warns Taliban Over Consequences of Banning Girls’ Education
Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology has issued a strong warning to the Taliban administration about the potential consequences of continued restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan.
During a meeting on Monday with Nadam Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education, Mohammad Ali Zolfigol (Simaei Sarraf), Iran’s science minister, expressed deep concerns about the prolonged prohibition of girls’ schooling. He cautioned that this policy could escalate public dissatisfaction and increase the risk of social unrest.
Referencing concerns among Taliban officials about possible backlash from some religious scholars, Sarraf noted that making absolute decisions without considering public demands could lead to further pressure on society and widespread discontent. Emphasizing the importance of gender justice and the role of women in society, he stated, “There is no inherent difference between men and women in religious teachings.”
Sarraf also highlighted that Iran, while adhering to Islamic principles, has established a system where men and women can study together. He described the exclusion of half a country’s population from education as unfeasible. Pointing to the presence of thousands of Afghan students in Iranian universities, he asserted that this reflects Iran’s commitment to ensuring access to higher education for all.
He urged the Taliban to reconsider their policies toward girls’ education and warned that continued denial could fuel broader social discontent in Afghanistan. Sarraf proposed cooperation to facilitate in-person or online education for Afghan women, allowing girls to continue their studies even from home.
The meeting took place during an official visit by Nadim to Iran, where he is touring scientific and religious institutions, including seminaries in Qom. The ongoing ban on girls’ education remains a major point of international criticism and a source of frustration for many Afghan citizens, with the Taliban so far resisting pressure to reverse this policy.
