Saudi and Qatari officials have criticized the Taliban terrorist group, which has taken control of Afghanistan's government following the United States' withdrawal of military troops, over its decision to ban girls from universities despite a prior commitment to the opposite.

Authorities were urging the terrorist group on Wednesday to reverse its bans on girls receiving a university education in the country. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said that it was surprised and felt regretful at the Taliban-led government's announcement.

Banning Girls and Women From Universities

The statement added that the terrorist group's move was "astonishing in all Islamic countries and is contrary to giving Afghan women their full legitimate rights, foremost of which is the right to education, which contributes to supporting security, stability, development, and prosperity in Afghanistan.

In a separate, similar statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that their country expressed concern and disappointment over the Taliban group's decision. The ministry added that they were stressing that the negative practices will have a significant impact on human rights, development, and the economy, as per Fox News.

The state of Qatar was calling on the Taliban terrorist group to review its decision to ban girls' education in line with the teachings of the Islamic religion concerning women's rights. The situation comes as Afghanistan, in a 2021 Women Peace and Security Index, ranked last among 170 countries in terms of women's inclusion, justice, and security.

The Taliban's ban on girls' education came after initially committing to a more moderate rule respecting the rights of women and minorities. The recent announcement implemented the ban immediately.

According to CNN, an Afghan Ministry of Higher Education spokesman confirmed the suspension of girls' education on Tuesday. A letter that was published by the education ministry said that the decision was made during a cabinet meeting.

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Taliban's Reversal of Prior Commitment

In March, girls in Afghanistan were barred from going back to secondary schools after the Taliban terrorist group ordered schools for girls to shut down just hours after they were scheduled to reopen. The situation followed months of long closures that were imposed after the insurrection group's takeover in August 2021.

On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch criticized the Taliban group's decision, calling it a shameful decision that violated the rights of girls and women to education in Afghanistan. The rights watchdog released a statement saying that the group made it clear that they do not respect the fundamental rights of Afghans, especially women.

During a Tuesday briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the American government condemned the Taliban's "indefensible decision" to ban girls and women from universities.

Price noted that the terrorist groups' recent decision would have significant consequences for the group itself and will further alienate them from the international community and deny them the legitimacy that they have been demanding.

Several female students in Afghanistan expressed their disappointment with the Taliban's decision, saying that the terrorist group destroyed the only bridge that connected them to their future. One Kabul University student wondered how she would react to the news after she believed that she could study and change her future, BBC reported.

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