Dreams on Hold: The Shift to Religious Education for Afghan Girls

Nahideh, a young Afghan girl, toils in a cemetery for hours to sell water to mourners. Despite dreaming of becoming a doctor, the Taliban's ban on girls' secondary and higher education confines her educational aspirations to a madrassa, where she learns about the Quran and Islamic teachings.

Faced with restricted educational opportunities, many Afghan girls and women are enrolling in madrassas to continue their studies in religious sciences. Nahideh and many others engage with the Quran and Islamic jurisprudence, hoping to maintain a connection to learning amid closed doors to formal education.

Conversations surrounding the ban have sparked controversy even within the Taliban, highlighting the critical need for both religious and modern education in Afghanistan. While some advocate solely for religious education, others stress the necessity of modern sciences to empower Afghan women and their futures.

(With inputs from agencies.)