In the modern world like today, educational institutions, especially universities, play a major role in changing the path in our lives, from technology and its prominent role in today’s human well-being to science and social sciences, etc. Today’s world insists that this specialized institution is a place where various, major thoughts and ideas are produced. So, factors such as race, gender, and geographical and ideological affiliation should never be involved with it. Instead, based on the available resources and accessible evidence in academic institutions, universities should be the sources of solutions to the issues that human beings are dealing with: this sort of view has been effective in various societies regarding their perception and definitions of university, but, in third-world countries like Afghanistan, where political and educational instability has been one of the major issues for several decades, educational institutions and universities have also been affected by their evolution over time: at one point, the university was considered a center for the production of thoughts and ideas; at another point, it was called a training center for political activists of the opposition groups; and at other points, the university was labeled as a western imitation center until the religious fundamentalists (and people who came from madrasas) entered the political ground of Afghanistan. At that time, universities lost their place in society, and they (religious mullahs) had a distinct narrative of their own about universities. Late in the 90s, both the mujahidin and the Taliban group seized power in Afghanistan after one another, which caused the universities to be either closed or lose their real responsibility. In the meantime, the educational system in Afghanistan was also non-standard. Subsequently, after the new constitution was approved by the new democratic government established in the first decade of the 21st century, universities were considered the only places for the promotion of knowledge throughout the country. Currently, the Taliban have a different approach to universities. I will discuss the Taliban’s approach to “university” and will respond to the question of whether “university” reasonably fulfills its duties and responsibilities despite the Taliban’s new educational plans.
The Taliban’s Plan for Academics
The approach and restrictions of the Taliban in the university are gradually announced and applied. In the beginning, the Taliban group seized power in Afghanistan. later, under the pressure of public opinion and the international community, after several months, they announced a plan to reopen universities based on the condition of the girls to wear hijab, which also included gender segregation. Subsequently, they divided the days of the week for men’s and women’s education. then, the Taliban appointed an institution to work on bringing change to the academic curriculum of Afghanistan.
Tribal Dress Codes
In all Islamic societies, hijab is a Sharia-based and religious issue that all Muslims are supposed to regard, but, in Afghanistan, especially during the Taliban’s regime, there is a tribal perception of hijab. Unfortunately, a certain group of people is imposing their tribal culture on people under the name of “the religion of the people”. If we closely look at the radical actions of the Taliban from another angle, we will find out that they have heavily been influenced by ethnic and tribal culture; the Taliban want to turn their tribal view into a cultural and ethnic hegemony at the national level. Otherwise, undoubtedly, Afghans are all Muslims and follow Islamic formalities.
The Responsibilities of University in Society
Universities and educated people have some responsibilities toward the society and country, but, in my opinion, when learning modern sciences is permitted (Mubah) in the Taliban era, the institution called “university” cannot do anything at all. In the religious category, “Mubah”, an Arabic word, refers to an action that is neither sinful when abandoned, nor that there is any reward after it is done.
I had planned to write about the previous titles for several months, but, since the new restrictions imposed by the Taliban are still there, I cannot write any more about that subject because there is practically no university or education in the country anymore, and in such a situation, the question of responsibility also does not rise. Instead, there are lots of things that scholars and students can do. So, we should not limit being a student to a specific place like a university; every house should turn into a university. This could be a better response to the new restrictions imposed by the Taliban. At the moment, we just have to set some responsibilities for ourselves. For instance, I have promised myself that I will not bow down to the Taliban or accept their restrictions at any rate. Still, I am a student. In my point of view, the Taliban are trying to plan a long-term strategy to impose their views based on that and create a platform for the future when everyone will have to accept them and their culture without being aware of it. That way, the Taliban want to turn us into robots that will be controlled by them in the future. Unfortunately, some people have been following their strategies.
The Taliban must get to know that people are not ignorant anymore and the world is not a place where the Taliban are waiting for their plans to pay off.
The ceilings of the universities have fallen since the Taliban’s comeback to power, but from the moment Afghan girls’ education was banned, the academic atmosphere of universities has become dark and the ceiling has collapsed. Women make up half of the Afghan society; they are mothers, sisters, children, wives, etc. If half of the population of a country remains uneducated, the next generation will certainly welcome the Taliban.
So, what actions are effective to bring the broken ceiling of the universities back to their previous shape and fix it? In my view, we must move forward, write, learn and become aware of everything along with commitment. As I mentioned above, every house should become a university, and we should build online universities, and plan and exchange ideas in a university-like atmosphere. In addition, each citizen of Afghanistan has to feel the responsibility to educate his/her family and neighborhood; he/she must learn reasonably and responsibly so that they won’t become an ignorant generation in the future.
In the end, I do not think we have any expectations from the Taliban. I strongly believe that they have fought for their ideology for the last twenty years; they won’t stay back and take another position. Also, we have experienced how the Taliban ban girls from education after their first regime in 1996, and the phrase, Amr-e-Sani (Second Notice) will last up to the end of their new regime. I believe that we should also stand up for our cause and fight for our strong beliefs in education just as the Taliban over the course of the past twenty years. Last, but not least, we should fight for learning and education and keep doing that throughout our lives.