New Delhi: A video has surfaced online showing a burqa clad woman — purportedly from Afghanistan — condemning the Taliban and their “hearts of stone”. She also goes on to lament why nobody was bothered about her country.
“I am angry at this religion today. I hate your religion today. I curse upon your religion. Your hearts are as hard as stone,” she is heard speaking in Persian in the video.
In the clip, a white poster on the wall behind her reads, ‘Discrimination against women’.
“Oh the sad women of the city, oh the sad people of the city, oh the atheistic country of ours, today we haven’t understood the religion. I am angry at this religion today,” the woman adds.
The Taliban had in December placed an indefinite ban on university education for Afghan women. Prior to that they banned girls from middle school and high schools. Women are also barred from working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The video was shared by Hasht e Subh Daily, an Afghan news channel.
“In recent days, a large number of women are chanting slogans against the Taliban by recording different video tapes,” the media organisation said.
‘Strength & power for the woman’
Many have come out in support of the unidentified woman in the viral clip, criticising the Taliban for placing restrictions on women.
One response to her video reads, “What else did anyone expect? She is just being honest”, while some others said “Strength and power for this woman” and that “All Afghan women should do the same”.
This video comes days after a comment made by Taliban Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid that overturning restrictions against women is not a priority for the group.
The Taliban’s ban on women has also been criticised by governments and various groups across the world.
Khaama Press, a news service in Afghanistan reported that a number of foreign governments, including the US, UK, Germany, the European Union, the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other international aid organisations strongly denounced the ban and urged the Taliban caretaker government to lift all restrictions on women.
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