The Taliban’s obscurantist mindset and their harbouring of terrorist organisations pose a serious threat to Muslim countries
Given the obscurantist and misogynistic mindset of the Taliban, it is hardly surprising that they boycotted the conference, hosted by the United Nations, to discuss the humanitarian crisis facing Afghanistan, and cooperation on the human rights issue. They spurned the UN’s invitation saying that they would attend only if they alone were officially representing Afghanistan, as inclusion of other groups would jeopardise progress. This exclusivist mindset, which reflects their intolerance of the existence of any organisation that does not share their obscurantist Islamist worldview, and does not owe allegiance to them, is at the core of their rejection of democracy, and advocacy of an Islamist theocracy manifest in their designation of Afghanistan as an Islamic Emirate, run according to the diktats of mullahs.
The Taliban are unlikely to have realised that they have shot themselves in the foot by boycotting the conference held in Doha on February 18 and 19 under the chairmanship of the UN secretary-general, Antonio Gutteres. Besides the special envoys of 25 countries, members of Afghanistan’s civil society and women’s groups, it was attended by representatives of the European Union (EU), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
By not attending the conference, the Taliban have only perpetuated their isolation in the world. They obviously do not seem to mind that since humanitarian assistance continues to come in for the sake of the country’s people suffering from natural disasters like floods and earthquakes as well as the violence stalking the country. The OIC’s role was outlined by Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, special envoy of organisation’s secretary-general. During his interventions, Bakheet recalled his organisation’s commitment to support Afghanistan and engage in a constructive dialogue with the country’s de facto authorities [Taliban] “on issues and topics included in the relevant resolutions of the [OIC’s] Council of Foreign Ministers. In this regard, he reviewed OIC efforts in providing humanitarian assistance, sending scholars delegations, and holding a conference on women's rights in Islam hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Ambassador Bakheet was referring to the international conference on “Women in Islam: Status and Empowerment” (November 6 to 8, 2023), organised by the OIC’s general secretariat and hosted by Saudi Arabia. It included in its Final Declaration 20 recommendations highlighting the rights that Islam gave to women and the status of women in Islam. These also addressed the challenges and opportunities pertaining to the realisation of women’s rights and enhancement of their role across all fields and at all levels of society.
The conference also produced “The Jeddah Document on Women’s Rights in Islam” which, as stated by OIC’s secretary-general, Hissein Brahim Taha, in his address at the conference’s closing session, would serve as an intellectual and practical reference document that could be adopted by legislative bodies and human rights organizations in member states and all Muslim societies when considering the rights of Muslim women. It will be submitted for adoption at the forthcoming Islamic Summit, scheduled to be held in Gambia at the end of this year, and subsequently presented to all relevant international fora. He hoped that those doubting Islam’s fairness toward women would consider women’s rights as set out in this document, and not on the basis some isolated social practices in some Muslim societies that in no way reflect the sublime vision and universality of Islam and its teachings.
Taha’s not-so-veiled rejection of the Taliban’s views on women’s rights in the last sentence above, will not please the mullah’s running Afghanistan. Nor will they be amused by his affirmation that women’s empowerment issues would remain high among the OIC’s priorities, and that the OIC would launch and support numerous efforts and initiatives to elevate the status of women in Muslim societies.
Taha’s words carry a special significance as he spoke in Saudi Arabia where, under the leadership of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, significant steps have been taken to improve women’s position. Women can now attend sporting events, need not wear the abayah, a long, loose-fitting, garment covering the entire body, except the face, hands and feet, in public, and can get driving licenses and can go to work, study or run errands without male escorts. While women demanding more freedom are treated harshly and much more remains to be done, the gains have been considerable compared to the situation earlier.
One can be certain that the Taliban would not change their views. Bigots dig their heels deeper and deeper the more people reject their creed. If the OIC and the Muslim countries are serious about women’s rights, they must work out tough economic and political sanctions that would compel the Taliban to change their policies in this regard. They must also take measures to compel the Taliban to act against terrorist outfits like a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) active in Afghanistan. The former is targeting Pakistan and the latter Iran. Given, however, their obscurantist creed, and determination to impose their version of sharia law globally, there is no reason why they will not strike other countries in future, particularly the Muslim ones they consider as apostatic.
(The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
