Afghan Taliban Boycotts UN-Focused Education Summit in Pakistan

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The Afghan Taliban government declined an invitation to attend a significant summit on girls' education in Islamabad, Pakistan, which took place on January 11, 2025. The conference, aimed at addressing educational inequalities in the Islamic world, received notable participation, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, who expressed her excitement to return to her home country.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opened the summit by highlighting the pressing educational challenges facing Muslim nations, particularly the growing problem of access to education for girls. He stressed that denying education equates to limiting girls' choices and futures.

Despite Pakistan extending an invitation to Kabul, no representatives from the Taliban attended, amid rising tensions between the two countries. The Taliban's absence was underscored by Muhammad al-Issa, a Saudi cleric, who emphasized that religious beliefs should not hinder girls' education.

Yousafzai, a prominent advocate for girls' education and an attack survivor from the Taliban in 2012, is set to speak at the conference about holding the Taliban accountable for their policies against Afghan women and girls, which many global observers have criticized as gender apartheid.

With over 26 million children out of school, Pakistan also combats its educational crisis. The summit was welcomed by attendees such as Zahra Tariq, a 23-year-old student, who noted the necessity of initiatives to improve access to education for girls, particularly in rural regions.

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