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Iraq’s military has been struggling in its fight against Islamic State, and the government has pleaded repeatedly for more weapons and training.

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The document, published only in Arabic and translated by the anti-militant group Quilliam, says it is wrong to deny a woman education but that “the greatness of her position, the purpose of her existence is the divine duty of motherhood.”

The document stresses that it is supportive of women’s rights – just that it has a different view of why she needs those rights compared with the West.

It says women should be educated because they cannot fulfill their duty if they are illiterate or ignorant. However, the curriculum it advises focuses strongly on religious education, with sidelines in basic science, and “skills like textiles and knitting, basic cooking.”

“Yes, we say ‘stay in your houses,’ but this does not mean, in any way, that we support illiteracy, backwardness or ignorance,” the document says.

Its curriculum ends at 15, but the document points out that it has not stopped women going to university, and allows them to become doctors and teachers. It also clarifies that women can fight jihad in the event of a special fatwa being issued.

On marriage, the document takes a hardline position – based on contested teachings about the life of the Prophet Mohammed and his youngest wife, Aisha – that it is legitimate for a girl to be married at the age of nine.