RASC News Agency: Several students from a school in Khwaja Ghar district, Takhar province, report that the district’s education director prohibited them from commemorating Teachers’ Day, claiming it is a “Jewish tradition” and that its celebration is a “Jewish custom.” According to the students, after planning a ceremony to mark Teachers’ Day, they were barred by the Khwaja Ghar education director, who stated, “Teachers’ Day is a Jewish occasion, and celebrating it is a Jewish practice. There is no need for Muslims to observe this day.”
Rahmatullah (pseudonym), a twelfth-grade student from one of the district’s schools, told RASC News Agency, “We intended to show our appreciation for our teachers by bringing them gifts, but the education director warned us that this day is not for Muslims; it’s for Jews, and observing it would be a sin.” He added, “Some of the teachers supported his view, describing Teachers’ Day as a Western-invented occasion, calling it a ‘Western day.'”
Asadullah (pseudonym), another student from Khwaja Ghar, stated, “When we decided to celebrate Teachers’ Day, the school administration advised us not to, saying it’s a Jewish custom. In previous years, we would celebrate this day, and our teachers were pleased, but now, even our teachers are calling it a ‘Western and Jewish practice.'”
Previously, the Taliban also prevented schools in Kabul from holding Teachers’ Day celebrations, labeling it a day established by the West, in contradiction to Islamic values. Furthermore, the Taliban leader had issued a directive banning the celebration of Teachers’ Day, calling it a Western and un-Islamic act.
