The acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan, Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi announced on Wednesday that a significant conference of Afghan religious scholars and tribal elders, organised by the Taliban, will address themes of national unity and exclude women from participation.
The meeting, the first of its type since the Taliban took control in August, would begin on Thursday, according to Hanafi.
He added that religious leaders had urged for the gathering to discuss an Islamic system of government, economic and social issues. “Diverse people with different opinions are going to gather… this will be a positive move for stability in Afghanistan and developing national unity,” he said.
Afghanistan is experiencing a serious economic crisis as a result of the central bank’s frozen deposits of billions of dollars and the international sanctions placed on the banking industry after the Taliban seized power. Hanafi responded that male delegates would speak for women when asked if women would attend.
The presence of their sons signifies that the ladies are also somewhat involved in the meeting. “The women are our mothers, sisters, and we respect them greatly,” he remarked.
According to civil society organisations, if women are not present, the conference will not be legitimate. The assembly resembled a “loya jirga,” a traditional Afghan method of decision-making adopted by several officials, including former republican President Ashraf Ghani. Before choosing to free hundreds of Taliban detainees in 2020 to further peace negotiations, Ghani called a loya jirga.
It was unclear what topics would be covered during the meeting of 3,000 males and whether the issue of secondary education for girls would be covered.
Following the Taliban’s decision to reverse its March decision to open girls’ high schools and its demands that women cover their faces and travel with a male chaperone and have their rights respected, International governments, particularly Washington, have stated that the Taliban must change its approach to women’s rights.
An inclusive Afghan administration has also been urged by foreign governments. Taliban members fill important cabinet positions on an interim basis, which the group does not support elections.
The White House has stated that it is looking for banking sector solutions that benefit the Afghan people rather than the Taliban.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, travelled to Doha on Wednesday to speak with Americans about the banking industry, according to a statement from the administration.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
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