Yes we hosted Taliban, says Fadhlina

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has confirmed that her ministry hosted officials from the Taliban-led Afghanistan government earlier this month.

Fadhlina said the visit by officials from the Afghan ministry of education has concluded, adding that her ministry just shared insights on education with them.

“The visit is done and they have returned. The meeting (with them) was to share Malaysia’s views on education,” she told reporters after an event in Nibong Tebal here.

She said that the delegation had participated in a series of discussions on education during their time here.

Asked if Malaysia would provide assistance to Afghanistan on education, she said the matter would be discussed later.

“In this aspect, we are providing them the opportunity to observe and learn from our education system. It is truly an honour,” Fadhlina added.

According to Radio Television of Afghanistan, the delegation was led by Shahabuddin Saqib, who is director-general of the Afghan education ministry.

During the week-long visit, which started on Nov 4, the delegation visited a number of schools and educational institutions.

The Taliban administration has imposed restrictions on women that the United Nations has described as “gender apartheid”.

Afghanistan is the only country in the world that does not allow girls and women to attend secondary schools and universities.

In March last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia was ready to cooperate and improve ties with the Afghanistan government under Taliban rule.

He said, however, Malaysia stood firm on the issue of women’s education and is of the opinion that the right of the group to education cannot be denied.