MAIMANA - Hundreds of ulema, tribal elders, women and civil society activists in northwestern Faryab province on Saturday supported Afghan security forces, asking militants to join the peace process.
At a gathering in Maimana, the provincial capital, Faryab residents said terrorist attacks were strictly forbidden in Islam. They roundly condemned any type of violent acts.
Maulvi Gul Ahmad Latifi, deputy director of hajj and religious affairs, called the killing of innocent people in suicide bombings an un-Islamic act. He said perpetrators of such attacks would be held accountable to their deeds on the Day of Judgment.
“Allah says in Quran says that the killing one person amounts to the killing of all humanity,” he said, claiming the militants could not reach a peace deal with Afghanistan without Pakistan’s permission.
The rebel groups should be eliminated based on Islamic teachings, he demanded, asking all Afghans, particularly ulema, to support the government until their last drop of blood and stand with the security forces in defence of the country.
Maulvi Asadullah Jamali, head of the peace committee, believed stability could be established when all ulema collectively announce from pulpits that fighting against the government was illegal and killing civilians forbidden in Islam.
“Pro-government people are condemned as Jewish puppets by called by the Taliban, who themselves attack functions and mosques and kill people, including children and women. They have joined hands with Afghanistan’s top enemies like Russia,” he alled.
The peace negotiator asked Russian President Vladimir Putin not to repeat past mistakes as the Afghans always supported their government and security forces and invaders a lesson.
Syed Zainul Ibadi, head of the Civil Society Network in Faryab, said anyone calling themselves Muslim and Afghan should support the security forces and peace efforts. He asked political parties to sort out differences. (Pajhwok)