Sources in Mazar-e-Sharif city, the capital of northern Balkh province, report to Kabul Now that religious scholars (Mullahs), during Friday prayers, warned the residents of this city not to participate in protests. Following the Taliban’s recent decision to ban university education for women, protestors gathered in many cities across the country to protest against this move.
At least ten people from different areas of Mazar-e-Sharif city on Friday, December 23, confirmed to Kabul Now that the religious scholars told the worshipers that the Taliban authorities asked the scholars to warn the citizens against taking part in the protests.
Nooruddin, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif city, said, “During Friday prayer, the mullah in our mosque said that the Taliban asked them [religious scholars] to ask people not to take part in the protests. If they do so, the people themselves would be held responsible.”
In order to prevent people from participating in protests against the recent Taliban’s decision on girls’ education, the Taliban have already deployed their forces in different areas of Mazar-e-Sharif to control the situation and through religious scholars (mullahs), the ruling group is warning the people.
This is happening while the Taliban have recently banned university education for girls. The Taliban Acting Minister of Higher Education claimed that for more than a year, female students have not followed the Islamic hijab at universities.
In an official letter, the Taliban Ministry of Education ordered the closure of all educational centers and public and private schools for girls above sixth grade across the country.
These recent decisions by the Taliban have ignited global reactions. Several countries, international organizations and institutions have condemned these decisions.
Sources in the capital city reported to Kabul Now that the Taliban arrested five women taking part in a protest against the ban on women attending universities. The Taliban also arrested reportedly three journalists as well.
