AFGHANISTAN: Afghan student Natkai (name changed), 20, told the UK media that once the Taliban banned women from attending universities, getting a scholarship to support her study abroad was her only chance.
Natkai, a woman who opposes the Taliban, has been given a scholarship to attend the University of Dubai in the UAE. Despite facing repression, Natkai persevered in her studies despite the possibility of never attending university in her home country.
In December 2022, 100 Afghan women were awarded scholarships by the Dubai-based businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor (founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group) following Taliban restrictions on university attendance, with some studying abroad and visiting Dubai.
On July 23, Natkai left her family before heading to the airport, but her expectations were shattered when Taliban officials informed her that girls could not leave Afghanistan on student visas despite having their tickets and visas.
The Taliban forbids women from travelling alone and only allows them to travel with their spouses or a male companion, mahram.
The Aghan female student stated that three girls with mahram were inside a plane, but representatives from the Ministry of Vice and Virtue removed them.
Al Habtoor and the University of Dubai have confirmed that females were stopped at the airport. In an English-language video message on Twitter (now X), he criticizes the Taliban leadership and asserts that Islam upholds equality between men and women.
An Afghan girl who was detained at the airport also shared an audio note in English, expressing her uncertainty about her trip to Dubai and asking for help.
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