words to ponder

While the United States was celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19th, Taliban militants bombed five schools in the northwest area of Pakistan known as Swat Valley. In December, the radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah issued a decree, ordering the closure of all girls' schools by January 15th. The Taliban's campaign against girls' education has destroyed over 170 schools since Pakistan's security forces launched an operation against militants in 2007. All schools are closed for winter vacation until the end of February, but nearly 400 private schools are unlikely to reoopen their doors until the security situation improves. The government has promised to provide security and vowed that schools in the area will be open by March. In Swat Valley, there are over 600 state-run schools and 400 private schools.

Militants have targeted schools indiscriminantly to prevent them from opening their doors to girls. The Taliban commander has threatened to kill any girls attending classes. The Taliban want to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law and believe thjat schools "promote obscenity and vulgarity in society." Swat Valley used to be an idyllic tourist destination, but now the area has been suffering from a "reign of terror". Since the Taliban took over, whippings, public executions, and the bombings and closures of schools are commonplace.

* "Taliban Restrict Women's Education in Pakistan" The Independent (UK) 18 Jan 2009.
* Khan, Zarar. "Pakistan Militants Bomb 5 Schools in Northwest" TIME 19 Jan 2009.
* "Taliban's Pakistan Schoolgirl Ban COuld Affect Thousands: Official" ABC (AU) 17 Jan 2009.