Maulana Madani's Powerful Rebuke: "What's Happening to Women in Afghanistan is Wrong!"

In a rare and highly significant diplomatic encounter, Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, faced an unsparing critique from one of India's most respected Islamic scholars, Maulana Arshad Madani. During Muttaqi's recent visit to the revered Darul Uloom Deoband seminary, Madani, who serves as the President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, delivered a powerful and unequivocal message: "What's happening with women in Afghanistan is wrong." This direct condemnation sheds a glaring light on the international community's profound concern over the Taliban's regressive policies.

Maulana Madani, a figure of immense moral and religious authority, did not mince words.

He reportedly informed Muttaqi that the sweeping restrictions imposed on Afghan women – curtailing their access to education, denying them employment opportunities, and limiting their public life – are not only unjust but fundamentally antithetical to the very spirit of Islam and basic human decency.

Madani passionately urged the Taliban regime to reassess its draconian measures and realign its governance with authentic Islamic teachings, which, he emphasized, uphold the dignity and rights of women.

The Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to India was multifaceted, involving discussions with various religious scholars and a focus on humanitarian aid.

However, the unexpected and stark reprimand from Maulana Madani undoubtedly stands out. It signals a deep unease not just from secular international bodies but from within the global Islamic scholarly community itself, underscoring a clear division between the Taliban's interpretation of Islam and broader, more inclusive interpretations.

India, while cautiously engaging with Afghanistan primarily through humanitarian channels, has refrained from officially recognizing the Taliban government.

This meeting, however, provided a unique platform for a prominent Indian voice to directly convey critical feedback to the Taliban leadership. Madani's intervention serves as a powerful reminder that the plight of Afghan women resonates across borders and religious affiliations, challenging the legitimacy of policies that systematically strip away fundamental human rights under the guise of religion.

The message from Darul Uloom Deoband is clear: the path the Taliban has chosen for Afghan women is unsustainable and morally indefensible.

It’s a call for justice, a plea for adherence to genuine Islamic principles that promote compassion and equality, and a beacon of hope for countless women whose voices have been silenced. The world watches, and now, prominent religious leaders add their moral weight to the growing chorus demanding change.