why don't d real "peace and equality loving" muslims world wide rise up n protest against these Talebans ? why don't muslim clerics world wide issue "fatwas" against d Talebans?

b/c they don't exist, they r just an imaginary figment of western's liberals minds! Taleban=Islamic Brotherhood=et al

carmine cicchiello, adelaide, australia

I wonder what the President of Iran thinks of this?.

Pete M, Hull, England

I hear a lot of muslims say they are abhorred, but talk is cheap. If so many muslims see this as an evil, then why don't we hear militias formed against the taliban? Why don't we see muslims solving the problem? I would like to hear those stories. Or, yeah... let the UK and others do the dirty work.

Steve, Chicago, USA

Pakistan is mobilising troops toward India. Pakistan's Prime Minister said, however, that they will not make the first move, saying, "There will be no aggression from our side." Oh, really? What do you call the massacre in Mumbai, Mr Gilani?

B. Trotwood, Portland, USA

I don't believe there can be any negotiations with people who do not care about life. The want to make the world into something they want and they will do whatever they can to achieve it. They condemn everyone who disagrees with them as "infidels".

Mark M, Columbus, USA

The Islamists are just following the teachings of Islam. I'm not defending Islam. All I'm saying is that it is high time that we stop being so politically correct and recognize Islam for what it is. If you follow Islam, this is what you get. Otherwise it would not be such a universal phenomenon.

Amer Jan, New York, USA

how can we fight it without fighting how can we stop it with out stopping the people.maybe bush was right after all.all hell breaks loose jan 20th God help us

joe, phoenix, usa

I've had enough of "moderate" Muslims saying that the Taliban doesn't represent and is a shame to true Islam. Prove it! Muslim nations should be main force trying to rout these murderous criminals throwing acid in girl's face while crying Allahu Akbar. Instead they condemn the intervening troops!

Rocco P., Jena, Germany

To the people lamenting Pakistan & its services: The religious fanatics are as much of a problem for Pakistanis as they are for anyone else, even more. Who is suffering the most: Pakistanis. The menace is being controlled at the cost of lives of Pakistani soldiers. Think before you write something.

Shiraz Mehmud, Karlskrona,

It appears that Teleban wants girls to be illiterate, so they can control them easily when they are in the dark

Andy, Manchester , uk

The leaders of the Taliban and those who threaten innocent children are NOT religious, they are power hungry. Anyone Muslim or Christian who sees guns, rape and threats as the only way to enforce their "truth" doesn't have any God on their side.
Governments should treat them as the thugs they are.

Pat S, Minneapolis, USA

Most organised faiths in our world have a credible structure with it's head being an elected member - the Muslims do not!

For the most part, the mojority of Muslims are a caring peaceful people, they simply lack proper leadership and are sometimes inspired by those who shout the loudest.

P. Owen, Conwy, Wales - UK

Is it really possible to create international laws based on humanity which would override every country's law.Can we create universal law against terrorism which all countries have to obey?It 'd be based on humanity irrespective of any religious thoughts.And IMPORTANTLY it should be strictly followd

Raj Malhotra, Bangalore, India

Inshallah! Pakistan army and ISI may finally have to fight the evil they created. Allah is great! Allah may hopefully help Pakistan not getting a "Terrorist state" stamp. Pakistanis must unite to root out this evil

Jagadish, Bromley, England

This is really awful news and one can only hope that the Pakistani people will find the courage and means to fight against this.

But Mr. Brett : the muslim country with most female students was Saddam’s Iraq. Today the torch has passed to Iran where women make for 50% of university students

Dejan, Ljubljana,

Who are the Taliban to say this, why haven't the wider muslim community not condemed this statement? Unless, the all secretly think the same? As a ex-teacher I do not find this surprising.

ash, birmingham, England

About time ALL muslims got their act together to condem this. I fear I do not see this happening - Showing that really this religion needs to get its act together and support western valued of health education and freedom for ALL.

Paco Martin, Madrid, Spain

Brett, The Axis of Evil speech was a cheap shot at trying to convince people that there is some secret pact among Iraq, Iran and North Korea. President Bush didn't stem terror but did manage to alienate any real support for democratisation western style in the Muslim world with starting wars.

Andrej, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Brett, temecula, usa:

You make me laugh, you really do.

PS, Pakistan is not on the axis of evil, it's one of America's key allies in the war on terror

rm, singapore, singapore

I know ... Let's give them the next Christmas slot on Channel 4 !!

Graham Fudger, Watford, UK

It's back to the dark ages. Stop it there or it will be coming here.

Jacksonian, knoxville, USA

"As muslims we must do more to challenge the doctrine of the Taliban ..The media 2 has a role,there is so much +ve work"

The media should expose where these attitudes comes from - parts of the Koran. This is not a platform to proselytise Islam, but to examine and expose it.

Joe, Mancester,

this is what President Bush has been trying to fight against, as stated in his axis of evil speech. and he has virtually no support in this fight. everyone says they are aginst the radical musslums and terrorist but i see no action. just calls to end the war in iraq.

Brett, temecula, usa

Let's be clear here. Terrorists have no religion. Islam clearly states Women, Children and civilians are innocents in war and cannot be harmed. The Taliban have floughted Islam wrongly, if we could establish all the common factors between Christianity, Islam and Judism, you would find more harmony.

Ayaz, Herts, UK

Knowledge is power and the ability to read and comprehend is a threat to Taleban. They will start with the Girls school first as this is an easy target, than the state schools.
The ignorant masses are gullible to suggestions/teachings.

Lam, Telford, uk

These are the people the lefties want to compromise with. Think they will be satisfied witha ANY compromise ?

The Pakistani army created these murderous fanatics as their "secret weapon" ,but now their own monster has come back to bite them.

firo, HK, HK

The prophet of Islam encourages education to the female Muslim and it's likened to educating a nation when you educate a female child. This is stressed in different text of Islam. I believe this ban is more political or a phobia of the unknown.

Mohammed Lanval, Lagos, Nigeria

These actions are against Islam and hurting innocent people is against the teachings of our religion.As muslims we must do more to challenge the doctrine of the Taliban and the misguided messages that have come from uninformed and ill advised leaders.The media 2 has a role,there is so much +ve work

Mohammad, London, UK

Seems to me that it is the males in these country;s who are lacking in education,and need to go to school. what a waste of human resorces by not educating girls,the males must feel very insecure.
just shows what will happen to this country when the radicals gain control

carlyle, Aylesbury, Bucks

Definition of terrorism: Making war on non-combatants. It's as simple as that. It's been in place for years.

Someone earlier touched on this: move all the girls out, to a central place where they can be protected, think of a convent/school. Let the taliban die out.

Dan, Nashville, USA

Educated women cease to be property and become equals, something that fundamentalist Muslims abhor and will not tolerate.

JimRed, Wall, NJ, USA

The key thing here is just limit these radicals from coming into the country. I think the UK is probably screwed - a sure sign when you now have British born radicals, but the time is now to get tough with them and stop trying to be flexible.

jason, London, UK

U and I cant do anything about this. Only the forward thinking and progressive and educated Muslims all over the world can get to gether and tell these rigid organisations not to do this. The real sufferers are muslims, especially the muslim women who would want education as a source of strength.

Ravi, Chennai, India

It seemed like reading a report from Persian times, when Sultans ruled over that region. God damn it, we are in 2008, soon 2009. Why is Taleban still legal? Freeze its accounts; persecute its leaders; cut diplomatic and economic ties with countries supporting it! Are we so weak to do so?I am baffled

Ajay, Beau Bassin, Mauritius

We all are responsible for it.The world is never able to come up with the definition of a 'Terrorism'.If possible please whoever is reading this convey my message to the world needds to define 'Terrorism as soon as possible and create strict law against it.If required international force can act then

Raj Malhotra, Bangalore, India

Well i would like to say to my friends who justify these sorts of 'cultural differences' how would you like it, doesn't every child deserve an equal education?

Johny, pruely,

Another reason why the West shouldn't give an inch to Islamic radicals. There's really no nice way to say it, but these people have to be handled with an iron fist. Worst of all is that there are Government elements in Pakistan that support this savagery against women.

Gbenga Williams, London, UK

Get used to this England as you will soon have similar warnings in those English schools that are in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods. The Islamists within the Muslim community will demand it and threaten all those within their reach and you will either take a stand or cave in. I'd bet you'll cave

Steven, West Hampton, UK

This sort of crime against humanity will continue unabated unless the outside world starts to actually GIVE A DAMN and steps in to stop it.....until that time, PHONY "concern" for "muslim sensibilities" will allow the enforced ignorance and the terrorizing of the people to to spread like a cancer!!!

Peggy, Los Angeles, USA

What is wrong with these people?

Mickey, Shanghai,

This is Pakistan at its best, they can not control their own country.

ljsingh, salt lake city, usa

This is a sad commentary on the convoluted thinking of these radicals. They would rather kill these women and girls rather than allow them to be educated. One would
suppose that the tribal elders would move to support
their people to oppose this barbarity.

schmendric, Murphy, USA

yeah we need more fight america!!!!

MB, birmingham, uk

Shame on PAK millitary which conspires with Taliban.Give security to innocent people in PAK and then concentrate on Kashmir.

Praveen Raj, Bangalore, India