ZAKIR NAIK faces backlash for defending Taliban restrictions on girls' education Fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik has drawn criticism from Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans after defending Taliban restrictions on girls' education in Afghanistan. Naik claimed that the restrictions were merely a delay caused by security concerns and a shortage of teachers. He also claimed that Afghan women could pursue masters and PhDs in Islamic studies. According to UNICEF, more than 2.6 million Afghan girls have been denied secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.