Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has urged Muslim leaders to oppose the Afghan Taliban government. Speaking at a girls’ education summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday, she called for decisive action.
“Do not legitimise them,” she stated emphatically at the two-day event focused on advancing girls’ education in Muslim-majority nations. Additionally, Malala Yousafzai stressed the importance of leadership. “Now is the time to raise your voices and use your power,” she said. “You can demonstrate true leadership and the essence of Islam.”
The summit, held in Pakistan’s capital, gathered ministers and education officials from many Muslim-majority countries. Organized with the support of the Muslim World League (MWL), the event aimed to address pressing issues in girls’ education. However, Afghanistan’s Taliban government did not attended the summit. Pakistan’s Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui confirmed their absence.
Malala Yousafzai Addressing Global Challenges
Yousafzai strongly criticized the Taliban’s treatment of women. “They do not see women as human beings,” she declared. She further stated that their actions are justified under misleading cultural and religious pretenses.
The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 has resulted in severe restrictions. Girls are barred from attending secondary schools and universities, making Afghanistan the only country to impose such bans.
Moreover, Yousafzai shed light on global conflicts that impact education. “In Yemen, Sudan, and Gaza, wars continue to destroy opportunities for children,” she explained. She also accused Israel of decimating Gaza’s education system.
Statements from Leaders
During the summit, MWL Secretary-General Muhammad al-Issa emphasized the importance of girls’ education. “Those who claim it is un-Islamic are simply wrong,” he said.
Yousafzai’s remarks about Pakistan’s 2023 deportation of Afghan nationals were censored on state television.
A survivor of a Taliban attack in 2012, Yousafzai continues to champion educational rights. Her relentless advocacy earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, solidifying her legacy as a global icon.
