The Taliban’s Ban on Books
Written for Sahar Education By: Blaire Curley
When we find ourselves existing in a world where we are confined, we utilize art, literature, and the gift of our imagination to experience liberation. But, what happens when this is an act that can no longer be done? When we are prohibited from imagining a world that goes beyond the tips of our fingers.
This is what has become the new reality for many Afghan citizens. In October of 2024,
“the ministry announced the commission had identified 400 books ‘that conflicted with Islamic and Afghan values, most of which have been collected from the markets,’” reports France 24.
The goal of this book ban is to minimize written content that citizens could be exposed to and potentially embed in their beliefs that contradict the teachings of the Taliban. While the prohibition of literature may seem like a small limitation in comparison to the others that exist in this country, it has severe consequences on how people survive under these conditions.
Survival exceeds food, water, and shelter, but also one’s peace of mind and ability to experience moments of happiness. This can occur when we read and flip through the pages of stories of characters we live vicariously through. Whose lives are a reality we may wish to have, or even empathize with.
In an attempt to defend such an extreme ban, an official with the Herat Department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has stated, “We have not banned books from any specific country or person, but we study the books and we block those that are contradictory to religion if they have photos of living things” (france24.com). The implication is that it is not a ban on a targeted author or country of origin, but rather one that simply limits books that do not align with religious values. This still does not negate the reality that literature options will be few and those available will serve as a tangible echo chamber for Taliban leaders.
A former Sahar Education Student
A greater consequence of this book ban is the harm it causes to young women and girl’s education. In 2021, “the Taliban banned secondary education for girls in Afghanistan” (hrw.org), leaving only girls younger than the age of 12 able to receive an education. This new book ban contributes to the limitations imposed upon Afghan women and drastically reduces the quality of education they receive. Young women will not be able to develop fundamental academic skills because the tools necessary to acquire them will not even be allowed in their classrooms. Even in the hopes of pursuing an education, they are continuously met with texts that reinforce the oppressive and restrictive beliefs of the Taliban regime.
This new prohibition is indicative of the necessity and importance of continued underground courses by organizations like Sahar Education. These programs aim to advance and champion the pursuit of women’s right to freedom, independence, and knowledge. Participants step outside of the Taliban’s echo chamber and learn about human rights, real leadership, and their place in the world, without the filter of oppressive censorship.
You can support the continued expansion of programs for Afghan women and girls by donating today. As little as $25 can change the life of a student through transformative education.