THE leader of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban militia, Mulla Mohammad Omar, has denounced a new Egyptian law making it easier for women to obtain divorces as an insult to Islam. Omar asked the Muslims around the world to protest against the decision. Under the new Egyptian law passed by parliament last Wednesday, and which takes effect on February 29, a woman can obtain a divorce if she gives up her financial rights and returns the dowry she received from her husband before the marriage. It also gives the courts up to three months to try to reconcile a troubled couple. The hardline Taliban militia took Kabul in 1996, now controlling most of the country, and strictly interpret Islamic Sharia law. They have banned local women from work and schools and have forced men to grow untrimmed beards and shun western fashions.