The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed surprise and deep regret at the decision of the interim government of Afghanistan to deny Afghan girls the right to education. This could lead to continued mass migration of educated Afghans, which could exacerbate the humanitarian situation. The Kingdom reiterated its request to the Afghan Interim Government to grant Afghan women the right to education, which in turn contributes to the security, stability, development and prosperity of Afghanistan and its brotherly people. Legal texts that encourage and encourage learning are addressed to both women and men. This is stated in the speech delivered by the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, at an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, dedicated to discussing the latest developments and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, in response to the joint invitation of each of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the present Islamic Summit and Chairman of the Executive Committee, as well as the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Gambia, and he referred in his speech to the justice of our true Islamic religion and its reverence for women, so that under him she enjoys all her rights and makes her education solid right for her and even one of the civilized duties and needs that should not be abandoned or deprived of it, therefore the search for knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim man and Muslim woman; To be a beacon for her, illuminating the path of her religion and her world, as well as the participation of Muslim women throughout history, when they drew from the well of knowledge in the development of Islamic civilization through their commitment to tolerant Islamic values. and principles that contribute to the construction, progress and prosperity of man, his society, his country and mankind.
The speech reaffirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the benevolent instructions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his faithful Crown Prince – God bless them – continues its commitment to support the tireless efforts of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding Afghanistan, as the Kingdom took take the lead in implementing many of the relevant decisions of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Islamic Countries adopted by the extraordinary meeting of the Council regarding the discussion of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, which was held at the invitation of the Kingdom and adopted by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in December 2021 AD.
Al-Suhaibani, in his speech, spoke about the most important decisions regarding the situation in Afghanistan, including the decision to support the Trust Fund for Afghanistan, which operates under the auspices of the Islamic Development Bank and in coordination and cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, since the Kingdom made a generous donation to the Fund more than 110 million Saudi Riyals, in addition to providing support for the Special Envoy’s mission to Afghanistan and the organization’s office in Kabul through the General Secretariat; In pursuance of the decisions of the Council of Ministers at its forty-eighth session, held in Pakistan last March, he also made it clear that the Kingdom had previously implemented many relief projects in Afghanistan through the King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Aid Center with participation worth more than 260 million US dollars as it provided an air and land bridge to Afghanistan, in addition to previous generous donations and support provided over the past decades.
Al-Suhaibani added that all of this is a continuation of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief efforts, as well as a continuation of the Kingdom’s march of solidarity with the Islamic peoples, whose compass is difficult to determine. Because he speaks kindness and support in all directions to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Afghan people, reduce the risks of worsening the critical humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, which could affect regional and international peace and stability.
Al Suhaibani expressed the Kingdom’s hope for joining forces in this regard and supporting all initiatives proposed by Member States, regional and international organizations that can join this humanitarian trust fund for Afghanistan and provide additional support. and assistance to the brotherly Afghan people, especially in light of the difficult humanitarian conditions in which they find themselves. At the same time, appreciating the generous support provided by a number of Member States to this trust fund, which confirms our agreement that the provision of emergency assistance and the speed of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people requires its support; To avoid serious humanitarian catastrophes that bring suffering and pain to this fraternal people.