Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi call on Taliban to reverse ban on women’s education

Afghanistan’s star cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have made an impassioned plea to the Taliban, urging them to revoke the recent ban on women’s medical education and training, a move they describe as “deeply unjust.”

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's T20 captain, highlighted the significance of education in Islamic teachings, emphasizing that the Quran advocates for the pursuit of knowledge for both men and women. “Education holds a central place in Islamic teachings, emphasizing the pursuit of knowledge for both men and women,” Rashid wrote on social media. He stressed that the ban would not only hinder Afghan women’s future but also negatively impact the broader society.

Earlier this week, the Taliban announced their decision to prohibit older girls and women from pursuing medical education and training, effectively preventing them from becoming doctors, nurses, or midwives. Rashid expressed his solidarity with Afghan women, emphasizing the country's urgent need for professionals in the medical sector. “The acute shortage of female doctors and nurses is particularly concerning, as it directly impacts the healthcare and dignity of women,” he said.

Rashid's message, written in both English and Dari, underscored the necessity for Afghan women to have access to healthcare provided by female medical professionals. He urged the Taliban to reconsider their decision, framing the provision of education as a moral obligation deeply rooted in Islamic faith and values.

Following Rashid’s statement, former captain Mohammad Nabi also addressed the issue on social media, condemning the Taliban’s decision as “heartbreaking and deeply unjust.” Nabi, who has represented Afghanistan since 2009, emphasized the importance of education in Islam and urged the Taliban to reflect on the religion’s values. “Denying girls the chance to learn and serve their people is a betrayal of both their dreams and our nation’s future,” Nabi wrote. “Let our daughters study, grow, and build a better Afghanistan for everyone.”

Human Rights Watch has also criticized the ban, stating that it would result in “unnecessary pain, misery, sickness, and death for the women forced to go without healthcare.” The United Nations has reported that at least 1.4 million school-age Afghan girls are being deliberately deprived of their right to education, putting the future of an entire generation in jeopardy. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world that prevents girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities.

The Taliban administration, which is not recognized by any other country, has imposed restrictions on women that the UN has described as “gender apartheid.”