KANDAHAR - Over 900 religious scholars called “Ulemas” and tribal elders gathered today to discuss peace and reconciliation in Tirin Kot, the capital of Uruzgan province in Afghanistan’s south.

The Ulemas and elders stressed the importance of unity as prerequisite to bring peace in Uruzgan province. They also emphasized that every step taken to decide the future of the Afghans should be based on Islamic principles as Afghanistan is an Islamic country. They called upon insurgents to come to the negotiating table to discuss about peace and reconciliation without any precondition.

In his telephone message to the gathering or “jirga”, President Hamid Karzai said such gathering would help bring peace, prosperity, development, security and happiness for the Afghans. “Your initiative to come together and discuss about the future of Afghanistan is appreciated and with the grace of Almighty, we will be able to liberate our country from these miseries and will have a prosperous and independent country,” the President added.

Convening of jirgas has been a deep-rooted Afghan tradition to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Afghan society.

“Today we gather to discuss, how we can put an end to the ongoing bloodshed and despairs of our innocent and poor people, and how we can ensure unity, progress and happiness of our people. We are here today to seek the advice and guidance of you Ulemas,” Haji Amir Mohammad Akhunzada, the provincial governor for Uruzgan, told the gathering.

“Now is the time that we should unite and call for peace and reconciliation to provide a safe environment for our children where they can live in peace,” said Mr Akhunzada.

The Deputy Provincial for Kandahar, Haji Agha Lalai, said that there is a misunderstanding that the international forces are here to occupy our country. “However, now it is clear that the International forces will withdraw in 2014 and they will let us decide our own future,” he said. “Now it is our responsibility to stay united and protect our villages, provinces and our country and that needs sacrifices.”

Mr Lalai also said Uruzgan is a backward province as compared to other provinces and it is mainly due to lack of security and lack of support to the Government.

Another participant said the Ulemas should play a role to invite the opposition groups to peace. “The international forces will leave and it will be up to us, Ulemas, to look after our people. We should identify our shortcomings and should guide people to right path and to success,” he said.

During the Jirga, a group of students from a high school in Uruzgan requested from the Ulemas and other participants to bring peace for them.

“We children of Uruzgan province don’t like violence. We want to play and go out, however, due to insecurity, we can’t. We want to live a normal life like other kids in peaceful environment. We want to request from our elders, to provide us safe environment and let us seek education and we promise that we will be build our country,” said the boys from the high school in their message to the Ulemas.

The Jirga concluded with an 11-point declaration that, among points, included: “support for peace and reconciliation in Uruzgan; involve Ulemas and tribal elders in the peace process; include some Muslim countries as neutral partners in the peace process."

By UNAMA Kandahar