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Quranic Centre Adds English Tutoring, Boosts Afghan Girls’ Futures

8/14/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A private Quranic centre near Hajj Ahmed’s home offers English tutoring in addition to religious lessons, allowing teachers to earn extra income.
Ahmed enrolls his daughters at the centre because it is close to their house.
His eldest daughter abandoned law studies after joining the centre.
Another Afghan girl completed secondary school online after girls’ schools closed and now says becoming a pilot feels almost impossible.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 the Taliban seized Kabul and barred girls from schools, forcing thousands into secret classes such as the Golden Needle Sewing School. Decades of progress—e.g., 440,000 female students by 1978—were erased, and UNESCO later counted 3.2 million Afghan girls denied classrooms. Today Quranic centres near Hajj Ahmed’s home echo those underground lessons, while NGOs like the Malala Fund support covert tutoring.

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Story summary

A private Quranic centre near Hajj Ahmed’s home offers English tutoring in addition to religious lessons, allowing teachers to earn extra income.
Ahmed enrolls his daughters at the centre because it is close to their house.
His eldest daughter abandoned law studies after joining the centre.
Another Afghan girl completed secondary school online after girls’ schools closed and now says becoming a pilot feels almost impossible.

1 / 2