FAIZABAD - Addressing residents of Badakhshan in a televised roundtable debate, religious scholars emphasized the critical importance of institutionalizing the principles of peace at all levels of society, from the social to the political.

“There is no doubt that peace is a value of Islam,” said Mawlawi Tajuddin Noori, a member of the National Religious Scholars’ Council for Peace, speaking in the debate broadcast from Faizabad, the provincial capital of the northeast province of Badakhshan. “Islam insists on peace,” he stressed.

Also speaking in the debate was Mawlawi Muhibullah Sharifi, a religious leader who highlighted the important role Afghanistan’s scholars can play in advancing peace. “Religious leaders are the successors of the prophets, and their role is very important in peace-building and conflict-resolution in their families, communities and across society,” he said.

The discussion, the first in a series planned for the northeast region of Afghanistan, was organized by the Kunduz regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to support peace efforts in Kunduz, Takhar, Baghlan and Badakhshan.

Afghanistan’s religious scholars, known as Ulema, play a critically important role in setting moral and ethical standards for their communities, and work as respected leaders at all levels of Afghan society to exert their influence.

The recorded discussion was broadcast via local Sema-e-Mehr Radio and TV, reaching an audience estimated at 300,000 residents of Faizabad city and nearby districts.

Four more televised debates on the role of religious leaders in peace are schedule to take place in the northeast region, along with 10 radio programmes on the role of youth and peace, and 10 more on women and peace.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.