Kandahar — The Supreme Leader of the Afghan Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has reportedly imposed a ban on establishing private religious schools across Afghanistan and ordered that all existing seminaries be brought under the control of the Ministry of Education.
According to details, while addressing officials from the Ministry of Finance in Kandahar on April 29, Akhundzada stated that no individual, including Taliban officials, should establish private seminaries in the country. He further directed that all previously established private religious schools be handed over to the Ministry of Education.
He said private seminaries could create opportunities for corruption and therefore could not be allowed to operate independently. He also emphasized that religious scholars should participate in all types of meetings, both technical and non-technical, arguing that “religion is necessary in all affairs.”
The decision reflects a significant policy shift aimed at centralizing control over religious education institutions in Afghanistan.
