KABUL, Afghanistan – On Tuesday, the Emirate of Afghanistan issued an order banning higher education for women, sparking widespread protests in Kabul. This is the first mass protest of its kind in the newly founded Emirate, which took over the country in August of last year.

The decision has been met with controversy, with even some members of the present government speaking out against restricting women’s education. Spokesperson Suhail Shaheen, for example, has publicly supported women’s education and admitted to having daughters who are currently in school. However, recently appointed Nadim has defended the ban, citing “improper hijab” and a lack of alignment with Afghan culture as reasons for the restriction. Nadim stated, “Girls should learn, but not in areas that go against Islam and Afghan honor.”

The ban on female education in Afghanistan’s Emirate has not only sparked widespread protests within the country, but has also garnered international attention and condemnation. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and even Qatar – where peace talks took place to mediate between the US and the Emirate – have urged the Afghan administration to reverse its rules, but these appeals have been met with defiance. The administration has stated that “foreigners have no say in our internal affairs.”

In response to the ban, the G-7 countries – a group of seven advanced economies including the United States, Canada, and several European countries – have threatened to reduce relations with the Emirate. This move reflects the growing concern and frustration over the Afghan administration’s refusal to reconsider its decision and address the rights and needs of its citizens, particularly women.

The decision to ban female education in Afghanistan’s Emirate appears to be rooted more in cultural and traditional values rather than Islamic sharia, despite being cited as complementary to these claims. Muslims across the world have unanimously condemned the ban, and even supporters of the Emirate have recognized the need for female doctors and teachers in order to reduce gender mixing.