Islamic scholars and female instructors called on the Islamic Emirate to include women in the gathering expected to be held over the fate of schooling for girls beyond grade six. 

Earlier, Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Islamic Emirate, told a gathering in the southeastern province of Khost that a meeting of clerics and experts would be held in the near future to solve the issue of girls’ schools.  

The expected gathering was welcomed by the Afghan clerics and education activists.  

“The Taliban must know this -- that if their Fatwa (decision) is negative, they should know that their trust will be affected among the people,” said Jamila Afghani, a cleric.  

“Our life has disintegrated. It has been several months that I have not been paid and I am facing serious problems,” said Hekmatullah Meerzada, a teacher.   

Meanwhile, activists called on the clerics to make a neutral decision on girls’ access to education based on Islamic values.  

“The women should be included in such gatherings because they are the women and they understand the pain of women. Without the presence of women, this gathering will not produce a positive result,” said Naveeda Khurasani, a women's rights activist.  

The Ministry of Education said the plan for girls’ access to education will be announced after it has been finalized by the cabinet of the current Afghan government.  

The closing of schools for the female students above grade six has faced serious reactions inside and outside the country.