Preacher's Taliban Education Defence Draws Sharp Rebuke from Malala's Father

Controversy erupted over remarks by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik defending the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education in Afghanistan, prompting a sharp response from Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

Yousafzai characterised Naik's position as "deeply troubling," highlighting the human cost of policies that have systematically excluded Afghan girls from secondary schooling. The criticism underscores growing international concern over the Taliban regime's gender-based educational restrictions since its return to power in September 2021.

According to UNICEF data, approximately 2.6 million Afghan girls have been barred from accessing secondary education since the Taliban's takeover, representing a significant reversal in educational access for the country's female population. The figure underscores the scale of the humanitarian impact resulting from the Taliban's strict gender-segregated education policies.

The dispute reflects broader tensions between religious interpretations of education policy and international human rights standards. Yousafzai and other advocates have consistently challenged restrictions that limit girls' educational opportunities, arguing they violate fundamental principles of equal access to learning.

The Taliban has maintained its position on gender-segregated education and restricted female schooling, citing religious and cultural grounds. The international community, including United Nations agencies and human rights organisations, has repeatedly condemned the restrictions as violations of girls' fundamental rights to education.