Muslim women lament fate of Afghan sisters
Hyderabadi women say freedom will depend on ruler
● TALKING ABOUT women’s rights in India, Seema Khan said, “There will be no impact of such a regime change in India as most women here are aware of their rights and will not take any nonsensical effort to suppress them.”
Notwithstanding the Taliban’s sugar-coated spin including a promise to let women work and pursue education, or assurance of security under Islamic rule, or an “amnesty” across Afghanistan, including a call to women to join their government, fear reigns.
Several days after the Taliban walked into Kabul and in a coup took charge of Afghanistan, women woke up to bone-chilling scenes. Empty words aside, the barbaric and undemocratic actions by the Taliban militia, including a ban on female news anchors and women employees in a government news channel, removal of advertising posters featuring women, have augmented the fear amongst most, except the Taliban apologists, that the worst nightmare was underway.
Taliban intends to enforce sharia law and most likely will follow Hanafi School of Islamic Jurisdiction. Its interpretation and execution however will be revealed as time passes.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sakina Kapadia, a Yoga instructor, said, “women will be forced to stay inside their houses, which is not due to Sharia Law, but because of its misinterpretation by Taliban. Sharia Law has more rights in favour of women than men.”
Seema Khan, an editor, 57, said the Taliban would definitely impose Sharia but it will depend on the ruler, whether he is a “moderate or a conservative”.
“If the ruler is a moderate then women could be expected to do business as the wife of Prophet Muhammad was a businesswoman. The worst would be if the ruler turns out to be conservative,” Ms Khan added.
Maryam, 24, who works for an MNC, said, “Sharia law is often twisted and misinterpreted for many reasons by the West. Islamic law should not be synonymous with the Taliban. Sharia is for the betterment of societies. We do see that GCC countries have implemented Sharia yet several of them have a high standard of living.”
It is believed that the Taliban would focus on madrasa education. Arshiya Gul, 24, who works for an MNC, said, “education is supposed to increase knowledge on diverse topics. That is what madarsa education stands for. It would be a success if equal time is allocated to secular education, combined with religious learning.”
The previous Taliban rule, which lasted in Afghanistan from 1996 to
2001, was infamous for its brutal suppression of religious minorities.
When asked whether religious minorities would face the same threat again, Seema Khan said, “we cannot predict it at this moment, However, there is intense hatred for Americans.”
Maryam adds, “Islam in no form endorses violence against any other religion. Hence, it is very important to call out the irresponsible behaviour of the Taliban and hold them accountable.”
Talking about women’s rights in India, Seema Khan said, “There will be no impact of such a regime change in India as most women here are aware of their rights and will not take any nonsensical effort to suppress them.”
“We believe in the sovereignty of the Indian Constitution,” adds Maryam.