Taleban blast Egypt over easier divorces for women

KABUL, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban on Monday criticised Egypt's parliament for passing a law to make it easier for women to divorce.

``It is dishonour of Islam by Egypt that misuses the name of religion. As an Islamic government, we consider the decision as oppression,'' Taleban spokesman Abdul Hai Mutmaean said.

He was commenting on a decision by the Egyptian parliament last week to allow women in an urfi, or unofficial, marriage to file for a divorce in court.

The state had previously accorded no legal recognition to urfi marriages.

In many Islamic countries it is much more difficult for women to get a divorce than men.

``It is a blatant violation of Islam. The Islamic world should protest against this move,'' Mutmaean said.

The law's opponents in Egypt argue that it will erode the fabric of the family and encourage women to disobey their husbands.

The Taleban control 90 percent of Afghanistan, and have stated they want to turn the country into the world's purist Islamic state.

In areas controlled by the Taleban, women have been banned from most paid work and must wear an all-enveloping burqa when they venture outdoors.

Men have also been ordered to grow beards and not wear Western clothing.

Since sweeping to power over three years ago, the Taleban have been repeatedly criticised by international human rights groups.