A conference in Kabul will bring together clerics from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The exact date of conference is not yet known but it will be held towards the end of January or in the first weeks of February next year. The conference will focus on what roles the clerics can play in ending the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. In both Afghanistan and Pakistan, suicide attacks are on increase.
Such attacks kill and injure hundreds of innocent people every year. Islam declares 'committing suicide' as haram (forbidden). Since long the Ulema of both the countries are expected to issue a fetwa (religious decree) to formally declare suicide attack as an anti-Islamic act and haram.
The issue of issuing such a fetwa is expected to come under discussion in the Pak-Afghan Ulema conference. In addition, the Ulema are anticipated to call upon insurgent groups, especially the Taliban, to renounce practicing violence that is clearly against codes of Islam. Islam does not allow killing innocent civilians.
The role of clerics has always been 'vital' in an Islamic society. They are the ones who have the responsibility to show the right path to the masses of a society. The kind of conflict Afghanistan is facing has roots in Islamic extremism and therefore, clerics can play their part in countering growing extremism in Islamic countries, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Even if the upcoming Ulema conference requests the insurgents to stop shedding blood of the innocent people, there are doubts they will do so. Groups like Taliban know nothing except chopping hands, cutting throats, carrying out bomb attacks and executing men, women and even children for minor mistakes. They have been involved in assassination of religious figures and it is seems hard they would obey the instructions of Ulema councils of Afghanistan or Pakistan.
The conference of Pak-Afghan clerics is, however, a positive step and should have been conducted long ago. Such conferences are important to express clear religious views about terror attacks in which civilians lose their lives. Peace is counted as a basic human right and Afghans too have the right to live in a peaceful and secure environment. For peace to prevail in Afghanistan people from all walks of life, including the clerics, have to contribute in making that possible.