Afghan Tribal Gathering Sparks Hope Taliban Could Reverse Ban On Schoolgirls

A major gathering of Afghan tribal elders and religious scholars, which began yesterday, could discuss the Taliban's decision to bar girls above the age of 12 from going to school.

- Borzou Daragahi

Afghan commentators described the meeting to be held at the Kabul Polytechnic University campus as a loya jirga, or grand assembly, reminiscent of the meeting between dignitaries in 2002 that shaped the country's future after the United States helped rebels topple the previous Taliban regime.

But the Taliban has not yet used that term, which refers to an inclusive centuries-old institution, instead describing it as a "big meeting" of religious scholars to discuss a number of unspecified national issues. Afghan media outlets have said hundreds of mostly pro-Taliban figures are to meet.

"A large number of religious scholars from the leadership of the Islamic Emirate insisted on holding a gathering," the Taliban's spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said in a tweet. "The leadership of the Islamic Emirate also accepted their request and a large gathering of scholars will be held in Kabul soon. From each province and district, a large number of religious scholars and tribal leaders will participate."

The Taliban, a network of ultra-conservative Sunni Muslim and mostly ethnic Pashtun armed groups, seized control of Afghanistan last August in a stunning offensive as US-led forces withdrew and ended a 20-year mission to stabilise the war-ravaged nation.