War, bloodshed for power not legitimate, say ulema

KABUL (Pajhwok):  Religious scholars on Sunday said bloodshed and imposing war for reaching power was not legitimate and that decisions at the Doha negotiations should be taken in light of the holy Quran and Sunnah.

Nearly two thousand religious scholars from Afghanistan’s 34 provinces attended a gathering at the Loya Jirga tent in capital Kabul and voiced their support for the ongoing peace talks in Doha, Qatar.

Addressing the gathering, imam of Kabul’s Abdul Rahman mosque Abdul Salam Abid said the increased violence in Afghanistan had given birth to distrust and both the Taliban and the government should take advantage of the available chance for making peace.

“We are gathered here to demand peace and convey our message to the government, the Taliban and the world that the Afghans want an Islamic system and seek in one voice the withdrawal of all foreign forces.”

He added that war and bloodshed was not legitimate under the Shariah for reaching power and peace would be a victory for all sides.

He said the religious scholars of Afghanistan wanted the government and the Taliban negotiating teams allow no more bloodshed.

In his address, religious scholar Habibullah Hassam said the ulema of Afghanistan on behalf of the people call on the warring sides to stop the war and protect the honor of Quran.

“If the government and the Taliban believe in Allah and the Judgment Day, they should make decisions in light of Quran and Sunnah.”

He believed the US and other foreign countries had nothing to do with the wellbeing of Afghanistan and their presence provided the excuse for war in the country.

Mualvi Hassam said if the peace negotiations teams lacked the ability and authority, the ulema of Afghanistan were ready to mediate in light of Quranic teachings to reach peace.

ma