KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) praises the first-ever Ulema National Conference that took place on 12 October in Kabul.

Around 500 participants from Ulema councils and independent Ulema, composed of Sunni and Shia religious scholars and different ethnic representations from every province in Afghanistan, met to discuss the role of Ulema, the peace process and Islamic values.

“The fact that so many independent religious leaders gathered together is a testament to the depth of the desire of Afghans to live in peace,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. “The Ulema play an important role in promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. As an independent voice they speak with true authority.”

The Ulema National Conference in Support of Peace-Building in Afghanistan adopted a declaration that noted among the resolutions that fighting against the Afghan people and government is not permissible from a religious point of view; that the entire Afghan nation should unite and defend Islamic values; that violence, hatred and bloodshed should stop; that there should be peaceful inter-Afghan negotiations; advocacy for peaceful means in the resolution of disputes; and tolerance between communities.