Letters

Don't isolate Afghanistan

LETTERS: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to use its leverage as a Muslim-majority country and a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to pressure the Taliban to allow education for women in Afghanistan.

Education for women is an Islamic right and a human right according to Suhakam. As much as I agree with that, I think a review of the political strategy is needed.

The United States, the United Nations and other parties have condemned the Taliban's policy. Afghan women are quoted in reports as saying they feel that they are heading to dark ages.

But reports also say that the ban is temporary, rather than permanent.

There are reasons for this measure, according to the Taliban. Firstly, it is the lack of funds, and secondly, the need to realign the curriculum with Islamic values.

On the first point, more than half the population of Afghanistan is hungry due to US-led sanctions. Afghanistan's funds are frozen by the US and are not reaching the people.

On the second point, like any other nation, the Taliban government has the right to decide its curriculum. Educational reform is an ongoing process, even in our country.

We can ask two important questions. Firstly, is banning education for women justified? Secondly, is it valid?

Morally, the policy is not justified. To the Taliban, though, there is political validity. Therefore, if we were to show support for Afghan women, we must do so with a valid and justified political strategy.

Going back to Suhakam's call, I think Malaysia must ask the US and its allies not to further isolate Afghanistan from the international community and return its funds.

If this happens, there is little reason for the Taliban to continue with its current education policy.

Political commentators must understand that democracy will not thrive if there is isolation in the community. The international community must not push Afghanistan further into isolation.

EUSUFF AMIN

Subang Jaya


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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