The International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, a landmark document focused on advancing girls’ education. The conference was held from January 11 and 12, 2025, co-hosted by Pakistan and the Muslim World League (MWL), gathered representatives from nearly 50 Muslim-majority countries. The event underscored the pressing need to address the challenges facing girls’ education, particularly in regions where gender inequality remains a significant barrier. It brought together key political, educational, and religious leaders to create a unified stance on the importance of education for girls, especially in the face of challenges like those posed by the Taliban’s policies in Afghanistan.
Theme of the Conference: “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities”
The theme of the conference was “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities”, which was pivotal in tackling the multifaceted issues surrounding girls’ education, particularly in Muslim-majority nations. It focused on identifying challenges, formulating solutions, and exploring the opportunities that education offers to empower girls and women. The summit emphasized that education for girls is a fundamental human right and a critical factor in the socio-economic development of communities. Discussions highlighted the vital role education plays in fostering peace, stability, and gender equality in Muslim communities around the world.
Speeches and Key Quotes from Key Personalities
Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace laureate, was one of the prominent speakers at the conference. During her speech, she sharply criticized the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls. “For the past three-and-a-half years, the Taliban have ripped away the right to learn from every Afghan girl. They have weaponized our faith to justify it,” she stated. Malala called on Muslim leaders to raise their voices against gender apartheid in Afghanistan, urging them not to “legitimize” the Taliban’s oppressive policies. “Afghan women and girls must be free to shape their own future. The very loudest champions of their cause must be fellow Muslims,” she added.
Malala also voiced her concerns over the situation in Gaza, highlighting the destruction of the education system. “The Israeli forces have decimated the entire education system in Gaza, destroying ninety percent of schools,” she lamented. Her remarks added an international dimension to the conference, connecting the struggles of girls’ education in Afghanistan with the broader global context.
The MWL’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, also played a key role in the summit. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the Islamabad Declaration becomes a constitutional document of the MWL, thus solidifying its long-term impact. He emphasized the unity among Muslim scholars, stating, “No one can claim to speak on behalf of Islam regarding this issue anymore. The scholars of the Ummah have delivered a clear and definitive statement.” Al-Issa further underlined that opposing girls’ education is a deviation from Islamic principles, stressing that the Muslim world must present a unified front in support of girls’ education.
Yousaf Raza Gillani, the Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate, called for a comprehensive approach to advance girls’ education. He urged collaborative action, resource development, and community engagement to remove barriers to girls’ education. “We must embrace a comprehensive approach that combines action, resources, and awareness to promote education,” Gillani stated. He also highlighted that scholarships for marginalized girls could offer them the financial support needed to pursue education.
Global Collaboration for Girls’ Education
The conference gained global attention, highlighted by Malala Yousafzai’s powerful call for urgent action. Dr. Hussein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the OIC, and Professor Francisco Rojas Aravena, Rector of the UN-affiliated University for Peace, also participated. Islamic leaders, scholars, and education ministers from various nations reaffirmed their dedication to promoting girls’ education. Speakers emphasized the importance of foundational documents like the Charter of Makkah and the Charter for Building Bridges. These frameworks provided guidance on empowering women through education and fostering unity within the Muslim community.
Islamabad Declaration: A Historic Document for Girls’ Education
The Islamabad Declaration was a culmination of the two-day conference and outlined a collaborative framework for addressing the challenges faced by girls in Muslim communities. The declaration called for gender-sensitive policies and resource mobilization to increase educational opportunities for girls. It highlighted that girls’ education is not only a religious duty but also a societal necessity, essential for fostering stable families, communities, and nations.
“The declaration emphasizes that girls’ education is a fundamental right safeguarded by divine laws, mandated by Islamic teachings, and reinforced by international charters,” the statement noted. It urged Islamic scholars and leaders to unify their efforts to safeguard girls’ rights to education, stressing that educated women play a vital role in societal progress. The declaration also cautioned against the misuse of religious principles to justify policies that deprive girls of their right to education.
A key point in the declaration was the condemnation of extremist ideologies and cultural norms that obstruct girls’ education. It strongly denounced fatwas and decrees that perpetuate gender bias and exclude women from educational opportunities. “Such actions represent a grave misuse of religious principles to legitimize policies of deprivation and exclusion,” the declaration stated. It stressed the importance of disavowing such ideologies, whether they arise from individuals, institutions, or governments.
Key Highlights of the Conference
The conference was marked by key discussions on resource mobilization, gender-sensitive educational frameworks, and the need for collaboration among Muslim-majority countries to address the crisis in girls’ education. The declaration underscored the importance of scholarships for marginalized girls and the need for community awareness to break cultural barriers that prevent girls from accessing education.
Additionally, the summit’s participants discussed how to enhance infrastructure by building schools with the necessary facilities to support girls’ education. The focus was on creating an environment where girls can learn freely and safely, without the hindrance of cultural or social biases.
The MWL’s role in facilitating this summit was crucial. Sheikh Al-Issa highlighted that the collective stance of scholars from across the Islamic world sent a powerful message that girls’ education is in line with Islamic values. “This is a call to action. We cannot allow anyone to claim that Islam opposes the education of girls,” he stated.
A Unified Message from Muslim Leaders
One key outcome of the summit was a unified message from Muslim scholars and leaders. They emphasized that girls’ education is integral to Islam and society. The conference acted as a platform to bridge cultural, social, and political gaps. It created a shared understanding of the importance of educating girls. The summit brought together Islamic leaders, scholars, and international bodies. They were committed to advancing the cause of girls’ education in Muslim communities.
“Muslim leaders now must raise their voices and use their power to show true leadership,” Malala urged. She also emphasized the role of Muslim scholars in challenging and denouncing the oppressive laws of the Taliban.
Pakistan’s Role in Promoting Girls’ Education
Pakistan, as the host nation, played a pivotal role in organizing the conference. The country committed to supporting efforts to advance girls’ education. Chairman of the Senate, Yousaf Raza Gillani, affirmed Pakistan’s support for this cause. He stated that the Senate would back initiatives to remove barriers to education. This would be done through stronger laws and partnerships with international organizations. “We are committed to ensuring quality education for every child, especially girls,” he remarked.
The Islamabad Declaration marks a significant step forward in the global movement for girls’ education. It focuses on Muslim communities. The summit fostered a sense of unity among Muslim leaders and scholars. It reinforced that girls’ education is a core tenet of Islamic values.
The declaration includes commitments to tangible action and resource mobilization. It also emphasizes the implementation of gender-sensitive policies. The aim is to bring lasting change to the lives of girls worldwide. As the conference concluded, there was collective hope for the Islamabad Declaration. It is expected to serve as a foundation for future efforts. The goal is to ensure that every girl, regardless of her location, receives an education. This would empower her to shape her own future.
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