Taliban's first fatwa: Bans co-education in Afghanistan's Herat, calls it 'root of all evils'

The decision was reportedly taken after a meeting between Taliban authorities, university professors and owners of private institutions. Taliban representative and Head of Higher Education, Afghanistan, Mullah Farid, also said that virtuous female lecturers would be allowed to teach only female students but not the male ones.

Kabul (Afghanistan): Days after vowing to respect women's rights in Afghanistan, Taliban officials in the restive Herat province have banned co-education in government and private universities, describing it as the 'root of all evils in society'. The decision was taken after a meeting between varsity professors, owners of private institutions, and Taliban authorities, Khaama Press News Agency reported on Saturday (August 21). This is the first 'fatwa' issued by the Taliban after its swift takeover of Afghanistan last week. Capital Kabul's capture last Sunday (August 15) signified the end of the US's longest war, launched after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. On Tuesday, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's longtime spokesman in his first-ever public appearance to address those concerns at a news conference, promised the Taliban would honour women's rights within the norms of Islamic law, in an effort to portray a more moderate stance. Also read: https://zeenews.india.com/world/taliban-using-women-as-sex-slaves-set-a-woman-afire-for-bad-cooking-report-claims-2387105.html