TOLOnews reports that Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Political Minister of Foreign Affairs, has criticized the ban on girls' education, emphasizing that this action is not in accordance with Sharia.

Addressing the women of the country, he reportedly stated that injustice has been done to 20 million people in the country.

Speaking at a madrasa graduation ceremony in Khost province, Stanikzai criticized the ban on girls' education, emphasizing that this action is not in accordance with Sharia.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “Today, out of a population of forty million, we are committing injustice against twenty million people.  Will we not be gathered in the same way on the Day of Judgment? Where we will all be paralyzed.  We have deprived them of all their rights; they have no inheritance rights, no share in determining their husband's rights, they are sacrificed in forced marriages, they are not allowed to study, they cannot go to mosques, the doors of universities and schools are closed to them, and they are not allowed in religious schools either.”

Stanikzai said that there is no justification for closing the doors of education to girls.

He reportedly called on the leaders of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to reopen the doors of education for girls.

Stanikzai stated: “We request the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open the doors of education. There is no acceptable excuse for this, and there will never be. In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the doors of knowledge were open to both men and women.”

At this event, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, emphasized the importance of modern sciences alongside religious education.  Abdul Latif Mansoor, the Acting Minister of Energy and Water also stressed the need to maintain unity.

Baradar stated: “Now is the era of technology; strive to become familiar with modern education and the needs of the present time so that you can truly serve your religion and nation.”

Abdul Latif Mansoor said: “Dear elders, maintain your unity; our success lies in unity and solidarity. The unity of ethnic groups, social classes, and these great scholars who have graduated is the key to our success.”

The emphasis on modern education by the Islamic Emirate officials comes as over the past three years girls above grade six have been barred from attending school until further notice.