‘Deeply troubling’: Zakir Naik faces backlash for defending Taliban’s girls’ education restrictions
New Delhi: Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has faced criticism from activists, academics and social media users after defending the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan.
In a widely circulated video, Naik accused the media of misrepresenting the situation. He argued that the Taliban had postponed secondary and higher education until authorities could ensure security and provide female teachers.
“Everything that comes in the media is not true”, he claimed. “So if someone delays the education till they have the right teacher, there is no problem at all”, he added.
Activist slams Naik’s defence
Ziauddin Yousafzai, an education activist and the father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, condemned the remarks.
“It is deeply troubling and disappointing to see an Islamic scholar of such global prominence as Dr. @drzakiranaik rationalise the Taliban’s systematic exclusion of girls from education”, he said.
“Presenting an indefinite ban as a mere “postponement” and invoking a shortage of female teachers without explaining how that shortage can be addressed is not a credible defence”, he added.
It is deeply troubling and disappointing to see an Islamic scholar of such global prominence as Dr. @drzakiranaik rationalise the Taliban’s systematic exclusion of girls from education.
Presenting an indefinite ban as a mere “postponement” and invoking a shortage of female teachers without explaining how that shortage can be addressed is not a credible defence.
Such arguments risk legitimising the Taliban’s gender apartheid and lending religious credibility to a grave injustice.
چوں كفر از كعبه برخيزد، كجا مانَد مسلماني
#RecogniseGenderApartheid
#ACrimeAgainstHumanity
#LetAfghanGirlsLearn https://t.co/oipYuIeUpI— Ziauddin Yousafzai (@ZiauddinY) October 29, 2026
Yousafzai warned that such arguments justified the oppression of women, calling it a “grave injustice”.
Former MP questions logic
Exiled Afghan parliamentarian Mariam Solaimankhil challenged Naik’s argument about the shortage of female teachers.
“According to Zakir Naik, Afghan girls aren’t banned from education. They’re just waiting for female teachers. The same female teachers the Taliban banned from working?” she wrote on X.
“Brilliant logic, Doctor!” she added.
According to Zakir Naik, Afghan girls aren’t banned from education. They’re just waiting for female teachers.
The same female teachers the Taliban banned from working?
Brilliant logic, Doctor!
Apparently, when misogyny wears a turban, some scholars suddenly lose their ability to reason. @drzakiranaik you should be ashamed.
— Mariam Solaimankhil (@Mariamistan) October 29, 2026
Naik said primary education remained available through Class 6. He also claimed Afghan women could pursue master’s degrees and PhDs in Islamic studies and Sharia.
‘Men of religion deeply immortal creatures’
Hstorian Ruchika Sharma criticised Naik for failing to use his influence to oppose the restrictions.
“Men of religion are deeply immoral creatures. Imagine not fighting hook line and sinker and using your influence among Muslims to condemn Afghanistan’s ghastly ban on women’s education. It is one of the grossest violations of human rights in the world!!”, Sharma said.
Men of religion are deeply immoral creatures. Imagine not fighting hook line and sinker and using your influence among Muslims to condemn Afghanistan’s ghastly ban on women’s education. It is one of the grossest violations of human rights in the world!!
— Dr. Ruchika Sharma (@tishasaroyan) October 30, 2026
Millions denied secondary schooling
According to UNICEF, more than 2.6 million Afghan girls have lost access to secondary education since September 2021.
“Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is effectively closed to girls and women”, its press release states. “Five years may be brief in a country’s history, but it is a defining period in a girl’s life,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.