Taliban Announces Ban on Women’s Sports


Awaz e Khwateen


A Taliban spokesperson has announced a ban on women's sports, especially women’s cricket in Afghanistan. Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban's Cultural Commission while talking to SBS said, "In cricket, they (women) might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.”

In August 2021, when Taliban rose to power in the conflict-ridden Afghanistan the world was apprehensive, questioning their extremist ideals. The Taliban had promised an inclusive government. They assured the people of Afghanistan and the world of a moderate approach.

 

It’s a man's world

The Afghan men's cricket team has been given the approval to play the sport and represent Afghanistan on International level. Taliban even posted a congratulatory tweet yesterday for the Afghan cricket team after their win against Scotland. “Congratulation to all Afghan cricket team and the entire Afghan nation for the historical win against Scotland. Well done boys! May Allah favour you with future victories. Keep it up! T20-world cup-2021” tweeted Suhail Shaheen, Taliban’s official spokesman. The men’s team was lauded while women’s cricket has been deemed unnecessary and inappropriate.

 

Thwarting women’s freedom in the name of modesty

"It is the media era, and there will be photos and videos, and then people will watch it. Islam and the Islamic Emirate do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed." Ahmadullah Wasiq told Australian broadcaster SBS.

 

International Response

Cricket Australia has threatened to not host Afghanistan for the proposed test match due to be played in Hobart. The International Cricket Council has been urged to take action, terming Taliban’s action as deeply concerning Australia's Sport Minister Richard Colbeck urged international bodies to take a stand immediately against this appalling ruling.

Amnesty International USA has highlighted the situation of women in Afghanistan. Sportswomen in Afghanistan have been in hiding since the Taliban came to power. Bringing attention to the risk to their lives Amnesty USA declared women’s rights are under serious attack in Afghanistan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

National Education Day: Commemorating the legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Image
Rutba Iqbal / Awaz e Khwateen Maulana Abul Kalam Azad declared education a fundamental right of every human being irrespective of their gender, color, caste and creed. Speaking at All India Education on January 16, 1948, Maulana Abul Kalam had said, "We must not for a moment forget, it is a birthright of every individual to receive at least the basic education without which he cannot fully discharge his duties as a citizen." Father of Indian Institute Technology (IITs) When Azad assumed the charge of the Ministry of Education in 1947, he observed the lack of infrastructure and facilities in the technical field. Kalam recognized that for India to compete with the world post-independence, scientific and technical advancement was imperative. With this vision he led India to a revolution in the field of higher studies. Kalam expressed his wish to have an educational system in India at par with the world, so the students do not have to travel across continents to study further
Read more

Sheikh Abdullah and Begum Wahid, a match that brought a revolution

Image
Rutba Iqbal / Awaz e Khwateen February 2 is celebrated as The foundation day of AMU's Women's College, whose earliest alumni are pioneers like Rashid Jahan and Ismat Chutagai. The foundation day of AMU's Women's College is the marriage anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah and Waheed Jahan. The marriage of these two was instrumental in the impetus of Mulsim women's education in India. Sheikh Abdullah was a reverted Muslim who hailed from Poonch. A lawyer by profession, he was influenced by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of the Aligarh Movement. On February 2, 1902, Sheikh Abdullah got married to Begum Waheed Jahan, daughter of Mirza Ibrahim Beg, in Delhi. Begum Wahid belonged to one of the few Muslim families of the time where daughters were allowed to get educated. Begum Wahid's father became her tutor when he couldn't find a female teacher (ustani) to educate his daughters. Holding the issue of women's education close to her heart Begum Wahid talked to her
Read more