Empowering the Future – Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities

The upcoming international conference, “Empowering the Future: Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities,” hosted by Pakistan, serves as a transformative platform to address the critical issue of female education in the Muslim world.

This landmark event aims to foster dialogue, share success stories, & develop actionable solutions to ensure that no girl is denied her right to education.

Pakistan’s Role in Advancing Education

For decades, Pakistan has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to education through initiatives like the Allama Iqbal Scholarship Program, which has enabled thousands of Afghan students—men and women alike—to pursue higher education in Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan’s efforts to provide free education for Afghan refugees reflect its belief that education is a fundamental right & a tool for regional stability.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education, announced during a press conference in Islamabad that Pakistan has invited Afghanistan, represented by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), to participate in this global summit.

Also See: Pakistan Launches Third Phase of Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme for Afghan Students

Education: A Divine Command

Education is a cornerstone of Islam, as emphasized in the Quran and Hadith. Allah (SWT) commands:

“Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5)

This divine instruction applies to all Muslims, men and women alike, underscoring the universality of knowledge as a fundamental right.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also stressed: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 224)

In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) specifically encouraged the education of daughters, stating:
“Whoever has three daughters, and he accommodates them, shows mercy toward them, and supports them, Paradise is definitely guaranteed for him.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1912)

The ongoing restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan under the IEA contradict these teachings. Islamic scholars worldwide have condemned such policies as un-Islamic and harmful to the well-being of the Muslim community.

Engaging the IEA in Dialogue

Pakistan’s invitation to the IEA reflects its hope for constructive engagement and dialogue. This conference offers the IEA an opportunity to hear the collective voice of the Muslim world, share perspectives & revisit their stance on female education in light of Quranic principles & prophetic traditions.

Through this dialogue, Pakistan aims to demonstrate that education for girls is not only a human right. It is also an Islamic obligation. This obligation upholds the dignity, progress, and prosperity of all societies.

The Islamabad Declaration & A Path Forward

The conference “Empowering the Future: Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities,” will culminate in the Islamabad Declaration, a document expected to articulate the Muslim world’s unified stance on the importance of girls’ education. It is anticipated to call on the IEA to lift restrictions on female education and commit to inclusive educational reforms. The declaration will emphasize that empowering women through education is critical for the development and stability of any nation.

As the Quran states: “…Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:9)

Education is the foundation of progress, unity, and enlightenment. It is our collective responsibility as a Muslim Ummah to ensure that every child, regardless of gender or geography, has access to education. This conference represents a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future, where knowledge empowers individuals and strengthens nations.

PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.