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Following the Afghan Taliban's December 20, 2022 decision to suspend university education for women in Afghanistan, pro-Al-Qaeda clerics, supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS), and Syria-based jihadis published posts online both supporting the Taliban's anti-Western stance, but also disapproving of the decision, saying it is a rushed, unacceptable move, and an "assault" on shari'a.
The following report summarizes reactions to the Taliban's ban on higher education for women by former Al-Qaeda ideologues, an Al-Qaeda associate and writer, veteran pro-Al-Qaeda clerics, ISIS supporters, and the secretary general of the Iran-backed Shi'ite militia Asaib Ahl Al-Haq.
Canada-Based Cleric Tariq Abdul Haleem Disagrees With Ban, Calls For 'Healthy' Criticism Of Taliban
On December 22, 2022, Canada-based pro-Al-Qaeda cleric Tariq Abdul Haleem wrote on Telegram: "Some brothers may refrain from expressing their opinion about the Taliban's decision to impose a complete ban on education for women, but I would consider this to be a kind of hypocrisy and negative justification. Fear of criticizing the Taliban will result in negative effects which are as calamitous as praising tyrants."
In a subsequent post, Abdul Haleem insisted that he is a supporter of women's right to education in fields that benefit women directly, such as medicine, nursing, and social disciplines, but "within shari'a boundaries" and "without mixing of men and women," he added.
He further stated that education is "an innate right granted by Allah" and that "robbing someone of this right without any reason" is an "outright assault on the shari'a," no matter the reasoning.[1]
On December 23, Abdul Haleem strongly disagreed with anti-Taliban criticism by "agents" and the "unbelievers," saying that his own criticism of the Taliban is "healthy criticism." He also noted that the Afghan Taliban "has shown the whole world its resolve about monotheism."[2]
Jihadi Idealogue Al-Maqdisi: Taliban's Decision Is Part Of Process To Eliminate Deep State, Loyalty To West
On December 29, 2022, Jordan-based jihadi ideologue Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi tweeted: "The schools and universities in Muslim countries were established by regimes largely to educate a young generation to be loyal to the regime gangs and entranced by the culture of their Western overlords."[3]
Agreeing with the Taliban's stance, Al-Maqdisi argued that any organization that respects itself and its people "must not leave these institutions in such a miserable state," and must strive to "eliminate the deep state, its agents, and its schemes."
He further argued that ridding the educational system in Afghanistan and elsewhere of "rampant corruption" takes time and requires persistence.
"The Taliban must do this patiently and not be harmed by those who try to weaken their resolve, in the same way that they persisted for 20 years in the jihad against the United States and its agents," he advised.
Syria-based Saudi jihadi Cleric Al-Muhaysini Urges Gradual Transition, Focus On Da'wa
On December 24, Saudi jihadi cleric 'Abdullah Al-Muhaysini posted on his Telegram channel an article titled "The Taliban – Between the Exaggerators and the Reliable Advisors," crediting the Afghan Taliban for producing the "most beautiful and joyful news" during the past two decades.[4]
After highlighting the importance of education for men and women in Islam, Al-Muhaysini argued that the issue of "mixing" both sexes can be dealt with by imposing "binding laws," especially since the Taliban, "appointed by Allah to succeed," are the authority in power.
Addressing the Taliban, he stated: "It is no secret that you are facing a population that has suffered the scourges of occupation, not only militarily, but also intellectually... Such matters do not vanish overnight, not even in a year or two, and they do not disappear through bans or morality monitoring alone," he said.
Advising against radical stances such as that of ISIS in Syria, which he claimed sought to change society by force, creating a "hypocritical society that hated them and turned away from them," Al-Muhaysini recommended that the Afghan Taliban at the current phase focus on da'wah and appoint preachers to turn universities into a "society of faith" and an "Islamic educational edifice" that will assist and advance the Taliban's "blessed nascent government."
Al-Qaeda Associate Mustafa Hamid Redirects Argument To 'Judaization' Of Arabian Peninsula
On December 23, 2022, Al-Qaeda associate and writer Mustafa Hamid, a.k.a. Abu Al-Walid Al-Masri, tweeted mockingly that criticism of the Afghan Taliban is the "most ridiculous" argument he has ever heard, calling the ban "temporary."
Implying that the decision must not be perceived as controversial, Hamid raised several questions to counter the "hypocrisy" of those who should instead ask about the situation of Muslim girls across the Muslim ummah and in Saudi Arabia, condemning the "spread of immorality" and an ongoing "Judaization" of the Arabian Peninsula.[5]
Former Senior Al-Qaeda Leader Al-Muritani: The West Will Always Attack The Taliban
Mahfouz Ould Al-Walid, known as "Abu Hafs al-Mauritani," a former Al-Qaeda senior leader and member of the organization's Shura Council, who was released from prison in Mauritania after renouncing his ties to Al-Qaeda and condemning the September 11 attacks, published a post on Telegram praising the Afghan Taliban for banning women from pursuing education in universities.
"It is not surprising that the West and its associates attack the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on every occasion, at times even without an occasion. What is surprising is that some Muslims rushed to condemn the Emirate before they get the chance to explain their position," he lamented.
"Those who allow themselves a large margin for making excuses for governments that disrupt the implementation of shari'a and govern by man-made laws, [now] seek an excuse [to condemn] the Taliban in a matter that is much less [important] and [should] at least learn the truth before issuing condemnations," he added.[6]
Pro-Al-Qaeda Media Outlet: The Taliban 'Taught Muslims Glory In A Time Of Humiliation'
On December 26, a pro-Al-Qaeda outlet published a post praising the Taliban for their decision to ban university education for women and their declaration that they are "ready for sanctions by the international community." The post described the Taliban as "leaders of the world of Islam, the ones who taught Muslims glory in a time of humiliation," and urged "proud Arabs to learn something from them."[7]
Iraqi Militia 'Asaib Ahl Al-Haq's Secretary-General Calls On World To Defend Afghan Muslims
On December 23, Qais Al-Khaz'ali, the Secretary-General of the Iran-backed Iraqi 'Asaib Ahl Al-Haq militia, tweeted a condemnation of the Afghan Taliban's recent decision to ban university education for women. Al-Khaz'ali argued that the move infringes on human rights and Islamic principles, adding: "the Islamic religion encourages knowledge and education without [setting] conditions and differentiation between men and women." Additionally, he insisted that international and Islamic societies confront such "unacceptable behavior" and compel the Taliban government to undo its decision, in order to "defend Afghan Muslims' right to a free [and] decent life."[8]
Supporters: ISIS 'Invested' In Education For All, And Will Again 'When It Returns'
On December 20, a pro-ISIS Telegram channel responded to the Afghan Taliban's ban by claiming that there are "huge differences" between the Afghan Taliban and ISIS, which the post argued, attributed "great importance to education and established many educational institutions in its territories, and invested great sums of money in designing a modern education plan." It also wrote that ISIS gave everybody access to education in order to raise an "educated generation of Muslims who fear only Allah." The channel added that when ISIS returns to power, "this policy will be instituted again and on a wider scale."
Disputing the argument that the Taliban government implements shari'a law, the channel argued that the Taliban, which objects vehemently to women's education, has no problem with "opening shrines, renovating them, and providing them with security."[9]
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