Consider decision to ban Afghan women in university, Khaled urges Afghanistan

Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

27 December 2022

By Farah Salim

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has called on the Afghanistan Higher Education Ministry to consider its decision to ban Afghan women in university.

He said in Malaysia, women have immensely improved the nation's reputation through sound education.

“Harnessing the talent and skills of Malaysian Muslim women as equal partners in various industries has helped to thrive in Malaysia's economy to become a high-income country.

“I believe that education for Afghan women will make them a valuable asset to the nation and helps build resilience, stability and strong social cohesion towards nation-building,” he said in a statement today.

Khaled also mentioned that he had also written to the Honourable Minister, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, and delivered the same through its Ambassador in Malaysia, His Excellency Dr Moheb Rahman Spinghar, to revisit the said decision as it is detrimental to Muslims' educational development in the future.

“I have shared with the Honourable Minister, among others, our country's experience and practice in Malaysia to honour women who contribute primarily to our national interest agenda.

“I hope Afghanistan's Higher Education Ministry can reconsider the decision, and I wish Afghanistan's people well in building the nation together,” he said.