JALALABAD - More than 700 religious scholars on Wednesday attended a seminar on "fighting drugs and working for peace and stability" in the eastern province of Nangarhar, an official said.
The participants hailed from Laghman, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, Hajj and Religious Affairs Director Maulvi Abdul Aziz Khairkhwa told Pajhwok Afghan News.

At the end of the day-long seminar, the participants were divided into groups to debate the problems facing mosques and seminaries. The hardships highlighted by scholars would be shared with the ministry concerned.

Also present on the occasion was Hajj and Religious Affairs Minister Mustafa Niazi, who said that the meeting was aimed at sharing the religious schools' problems with his ministry. He asked the participants to help fight drugs and reforms society.

Scholars attending the event were provided with books on religious issues, the Niazi said, adding his ministry planned to construct a number of mosques across the country.
Ruling out corruption at his ministry, Niazi promised more facilities for hajj pilgrims next year.