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British imams dismiss concerns over girls’ education in Afghanistan

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A group of British Muslim scholars who recently visited Afghanistan has accused the mainstream media of completely distorting the reality of what is happening in the country.

Addressing about 250 people at Queen Mary University in London, the scholars spoke about the security and peace that now exists in Afghanistan after so many years of war, as well as the Islamic society that is now being created.

The scholars, who were appearing at the launch of the Prosper Afghanistan organization, also addressed the controversial issue of girls’ education following its suspension at secondary level and above last year.

The scholars who addressed the event were Shaykh Haitham Al Haddad, Shaykh Suliman Gani, Shaykh Hamid Mahmood, Shaykh Ammar al-Madani, Mufti Ismail Satia and Shaykh Abdulkerim Karahanli.

Sheikh Haitham Al Haddad said the level of professionalism of the government leaders he met was “really amazing… They really want to do something for their country and for the Ummah and may Allah help them to do that.”

Mufti Ismail Satia said: “We went to Afghanistan with a very open mind, we did not go siding with anybody. I found Afghan people to be very kind, generous, big-hearted and resilient. But the greater impact it had on me was that it brought back to me the stories of the Sahaba that we read. They reminded me of those who sacrificed for Islam and those who were willing to do anything for Islam. We don’t think people like this exist nowadays but speaking to people over there and the ulema, it made me realize that these people have the same zeal as the Sahaba.”

Sheikh Hamid Mahmood said: “Before leaving for Afghanistan I had never seen anything positive in the mainstream media, but after speaking to members of the Afghan government I realized that they were not just trying to free themselves from physical subjugation and colonialism, but also from financial, economic and intellectual enslavement.”

And Sheikh Ammar al-Madani said: “The image we have of Afghanistan is totally different to the realities on the ground. The happiness and contentment that the people are feeling is totally different to what is being portrayed through media channels. My request is that any information you seek is through proper channels.”

The delegation of prominent British imams and Muslim scholars visited Afghanistan in July and August and was led by the Human Aid and Advocacy charity in coordination with Prosper Afghanistan.

Human Aid & Advocacy said the Muslim leaders traveled to Afghanistan in order to better understand the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and witness some of the current aid projects established by the charity in the country.

These included an orphanage, a widow’s skills training center, a vocational skills center, and an aid delivery program to Kapisa province.

Regarding the issue of girls’ education, Sheikh Haitham Al-Haddad told the audience that the issue was being used by the West to demonize Afghanistan. He said that in any society emerging from war there is a hierarchy of needs and security and the economy comes first.

“If we are genuinely concerned about Afghanistan the first question should be what is the security situation like? And 2022 was the first year in over 40 years when there was no war whatsoever in the entire area of Afghanistan which is something to be praised.. Secondly, in terms of economy Afghanistan is one of the top ten countries in terms of reducing inflation. And if people are concerned about women they should first ask if women are being harassed?”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamd Mahmood said that girls’ education had not been banned per se, but rather “liberal, secular education had been suspended.”

He said the IEA’s Acting Foreign Minister told him that the Islamic Emirate does not consider girls’ education to be haraam, and that all girls are still being educated at primary level. Moreover, he said that girls could continue schooling until university level if they chose to become medical professionals and teachers or if they studied in a Dar Ul Uloom.

Sheikh Hamd cited the minister as saying that western secular influences were being driven into the minds of the students who were speaking against the Sharia and many vices were creeping in, so the ulema were taken aback and took this matter directly to the IEA leader. He said for 20 years they were united on the battlefield and now when it is time to rebuild the country they cannot tolerate division and therefore temporary suspension of liberal, secular education took place.

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Norwegian delegation to visit Afghanistan

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Per Albert Ilsaas, the Charge d’Affaires of Norwegian embassy for Afghanistan, has announced that a delegation from Norway will soon travel to Kabul to assess bilateral relations with authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, the diplomat in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, shared Norway’s perspective on recent regional developments and expressed concern about their potential impact on Afghanistan.

Muttaqi also voiced concern over the current regional situation and emphasized that the Afghan government is ready to help the people of Iran based on Islamic and humanitarian principles.

He described Norway’s acceptance of a diplomat from the Islamic Emirate as a positive step toward building trust and improving relations. He also praised Norway’s constructive role in facilitating engagement between Afghanistan and Western countries.

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Pakistan seeks partnership with US over terror threats in Afghanistan: Khalilzad

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Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, is offering U.S. officials a renewed partnership to help manage terrorism threats emanating from Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, former US special envoy for Afghan peace, said on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Munir at the White House on Wednesday, in an unprecedented meeting that risked worsening a disagreement with India over the president’s claim that he stopped the recent war between the nuclear-armed South Asian foes.

Khalilzad in a post on X highlighted Munir’s possible agenda.

One was to get Trump “subcontract the protection of US interests in Afghanistan, including on terror, to the Pakistani military.”

However, he asserted that that Pakistani military cannot be trusted as it has long played a double game with the United States.

“President Trump knows that the Pakistani military has long played a double game with us. During the years of our military presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan took our assistance and at the same time provided support and sanctuary to those who were killing our forces. Similarly, during the war on terror after 9/11, the Pakistani military selectively helped both us and the al-Qaida terrorists. Where did we find Bin Laden? All cozy in Pakistan near one of Pakistan’s military facilities. And Pakistan still holds Dr. Afridi who helped us find and eliminate Bin Laden,” Khalilzad said.

“Bottom line: Gen Asim Munir can not be trusted,” he added.

 

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Afghan delegation led by agriculture minister attends key economic forum in Russia

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A senior Afghan delegation headed by Acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock Ataullah Omari is participating in the 2025 Economic Conference and Exhibition in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The high-level delegation includes officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Economy, and Industry and Commerce, alongside representatives of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment and several Afghan business leaders.

Among key members are Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Abdul Latif Nazari, Technical Deputy Minister of Economy; and Mohammad Younus Mohmand, Deputy Head of the Chamber of Commerce.

The conference, running from June 18 to 21, is one of the world’s largest economic forums, bringing together participants from over 140 countries to discuss global challenges in economy, agriculture, trade, investment, and sustainable development.

Omari is scheduled to present the Islamic Emirate’s economic and agricultural vision to international delegates.

The Ministry of Agriculture described Afghanistan’s involvement as a key opportunity to bolster trade ties, attract foreign investment, and enhance cooperation in vital sectors.

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