RASC News Agency: Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned advocate for women’s rights, has urged leaders of Islamic nations to deny legitimacy to the Taliban, accusing the group of weaponizing religion to rationalize their crimes against women and girls. Speaking at the “Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies” conference in Islamabad, Malala called on Islamic leaders and organizations to exert significant pressure on the Taliban to respect the rights of Afghanistani citizens, particularly women and girls who have been systematically marginalized.
During her address on Sunday, January 12, Malala condemned the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan, describing the group as extremist and fundamentally opposed to women’s rights. “The Taliban are extremists who use Islam as a tool to justify their oppression and violence against women,” she stated emphatically. She implored Islamic leaders to take a stand, urging them to demonstrate true leadership:
“As leaders of the Muslim world, the time has come to raise your voices and use your influence. You have the opportunity to exemplify genuine leadership and reflect the true essence of Islam.”
Malala further criticized the silence of the international and Islamic communities regarding the Taliban’s actions, labeling it “a source of shame.” The two-day conference, titled “Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities,” was organized by the World Muslim League with support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and hosted by Pakistan. Pakistan’s Education Minister revealed to AFP that the Taliban had been invited to participate in the conference, but no representatives from the group attended. The Taliban have yet to comment on their absence.
Observers from the former Afghanistan government suggested that the Taliban deliberately avoided the conference, knowing that their systematic violations of citizens’ rights, particularly those of women, would be scrutinized. Since seizing power, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women’s freedoms, banning girls from education and curtailing their basic rights. These actions have drawn widespread international condemnation, yet the group has continued to implement policies that blatantly contravene universal human rights and the teachings of Islam.
