Neda Mohammad Nadim, the Taliban’s Minister of Higher Education, says that Afghanistan is an Islamic country and that only those who possess Islamic values and ethics and enjoy the trust of Muslims can succeed and serve the people.
Nadim made these remarks at a graduation ceremony for students of Kabul University of Medical Sciences. In a statement, the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education quoted him as saying that he expects the newly graduated students to help address the challenges facing Afghanistan’s healthcare sector and provide people with access to reliable medical treatment within the country.
He said that, under an Islamic system, leaders are obligated to meet the religious and worldly needs of Muslims.
Nadim emphasized: “Afghanistan is an Islamic country. In this Islamic country, only those who have Islamic values and ethics and the trust of Muslims can succeed. These are the people who can serve Afghan society.”
Nadim’s remarks come as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on September 9, 2025. Details of the warrant were made public on October 5, 2026. The court has accused him of potential responsibility for crimes against humanity, including gender-based persecution.
According to the International Criminal Court, the allegations include the gender-based persecution of women and girls, as well as the persecution, on political grounds, of individuals associated with women and girls.
The remarks also come amid the continued restrictions on girls’ education above the sixth grade following the Taliban’s return to power. Women have also been barred from attending universities.
According to information from Kabul University of Medical Sciences, 240 students from various medical fields graduated at the ceremony.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
