Taliban Leader Denounces Women's Freedom as "Obscene"

In response to United Nations demands that the Taliban ruling militia improve women's and girls' access to education in Afghanistan, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar said that education for women "is a big infidel policy which gives such obscene freedom to women."

Currently, the Taliban controls two-thirds of Afghanistan, and has banned women and girls from working, going to school, and leaving their homes without a close male relative. Omar said that more rights for women would result in adultery and the destruction of Islam.

Media Resources: AFP - December 29, 1997

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