In the years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Afghan women have increasingly grappled with persecution and a severe mental health crisis. The imposition of sharia law, derived from Islam, has sparked outrage and concern among international human rights communities as the Taliban has systemically stripped away women’s rights and freedoms.
As a woman born into a Shia-Muslim family, the Taliban’s implementation of sharia law has never made sense to me, even after studying Sunni Islam subjects throughout my education. There is one Islam with various schools of thought, including Sunni and Shia branches, and these different schools have followers across the globe, primarily in the Middle East, South and East Asia, Africa and among Muslim refugees worldwide. Despite the differences in interpretation, none advocates for the complete denial of basic human rights for Muslim women.
After taking power, the Taliban’s first move was to change the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, which became an unquestionable symbol of the disappearance of women’s rights. Afghan women have been barred from education, denied the opportunity to work, subjected to oppressive dress codes, excluded from participating in politics and decision-making processes, and have had their access to healthcare restricted. They face harsh punishments for violating any of these strictures.
During my youth, I was an extremely devout Shia Muslim, regularly attending prayers at mosques and diligently reciting the holy book, the Qur’an, as a qari (a person who recites the Qur’an with the proper rules of recitation). I even committed important sections of the Qur’an to memory and studied their meanings line by line. I never encountered teachings or policies that would justify the complete suppression of Muslim women’s rights. In fact, the Qur’an explicitly states that men and women are equal in the eyes of God.
Growing up, I practised as a Shia Muslim in my daily life while also studying Sunni Islam as part of the Afghan curriculum at a refugee school in Pakistan. Later, at Kabul University, Sunni Islam subjects were part of my coursework alongside journalism. Students, professors and the general public accepted and mutually respected one another, as we recognised and embraced our diversity. Notably, the teachings of Sunni Islam never questioned women’s rightful place in society.
Sunni Muslims vehemently oppose the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan, arguing the group’s interpretation of sharia law does not align with any schools of thought. It also disregards prominent Muslim women of Islam’s history, such as Bibi Khadija, the wife of Prophet Mohammad, who played significant roles as a businesswoman.
And throughout Islamic history, countless examples showcase the active participation of Muslim women alongside mens. One of the first known universities in the world, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in the Moroccan city of Fez, was founded more than 1000 years ago by Fatima al-Fihri, a Muslim woman. It is the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan demand the Taliban allows education for girls, January 2023 (Image: AAP/EPA/Sohail Shahzad)
After the Taliban’s initial rule from 1996 to 2001 — America overthrew it following the 9/11 attacks — Afghanistan remained predominantly a Sunni Islamic country. Over the past two decades, it went through significant social progress and modernisation, with women playing key roles in decision-making and contributing to politics, socioeconomic policies and agendas.
Thousands of girls pursued secondary education and university degrees, with some travelling abroad on prestigious scholarships. Women joined the workforce, including in senior positions, and young women emerged as advocates and actively engaged in humanitarian events and civil society initiatives.
In both Afghanistan’s constitution and Islamic laws, there were no explicit prohibitions on women’s daily lives or social activities. Afghan society was moving towards accepting greater freedom for women. Criticisms of certain aspects of Islamic methods were not uncommon, as women participated in literary events, wrote papers, engaged in political debates, organised fashion shows, showcased their artistry, represented Afghanistan at international conferences, and held prominent roles in all fields and sectors of society.
Today the Taliban’s implementation of sharia law in Afghanistan is a stark departure from the teachings and practices of the main Islamic schools of thought, including Sunni Islam. Islam as a religion has demonstrated its adaptability to complex historical events. The religion recognises the differences among generations and acknowledges that certain practices from 1400 years ago may not be applicable today.
For instance, there are more progressive schools of thought within Islam today, such as Islamic modernism and Islamic feminism. The different interpretations of Islam have been exemplified in society through varying social practices and understandings, including issues such as women’s rights, the role of religious authorities, and the relationship between religion and politics. The Taliban’s misinterpretation of Islamic principles has led it down a path that resembles the era preceding the birth of Islam, where daughters were tragically buried alive due to cultural norms.
This oppression of women in Afghanistan is considered a crime against humanity, and the Taliban’s actions are seen as contradicting the principles of Islam. For nearly two years, Afghan women and girls have been buried alive in a world that remains blind and deaf to their suffering. The mental health crisis gripping these women reflects the urgent need for international intervention and support to protect the fundamental rights of Afghan women.
The international community must stand together to condemn the Taliban’s atrocities and work towards a future where Afghan women can reclaim their freedom, dignity and rightful place in society.
