Kabul: About 3,500 scholars and tribal elders from across Afghanistan gathered in Kabul on Thursday for a grand gathering meeting, the first such session since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last year.
Known as the Loya Jirga, the grand gatherings are a centuries-old Afghan institution, a forum in which various parties participate to discuss important political issues and reach consensus.
The conference, expected to end by July 2, was called by the Taliban, as there was increasing pressure by foreign governments to form an inclusive government inadvertently on them to gain international recognition.
Participants in Thursday’s session included non-Taliban local leaders, members of the minority Shia community, as well as representatives of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. No female representative was present.
Afghanistan’s caretaker prime minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, began the session by calling on representatives of all Afghan groups to help maintain the Islamic system of governance, which the Taliban took control of the country in August following the country’s withdrawal. was presented. US-led forces after two decades of war.
“We should all work to strengthen it,” Akhund said. “The Islamic Emirate is making efforts in all aspects to resolve all issues. There may be problems at some places, but if they are shared with us, we will take steps to resolve them.”
Mawlawi Mohammad Omar Khattabi from Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, who runs a network of madrassas and Islamic radio in southern Afghanistan, urged Taliban officials to consult religious scholars when it comes to the Islamic system, “because they know the nature of it.” , but in professional and technical issues, they should “consult with experts.”
The issue of reopening schools for girls was raised by Syed Nasrullah Vezi, a Shia scholar from Bamyan in central Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban took power, they have imposed many restrictions on women, including their choice of clothing and profession. Secondary school girls have been barred from education.
Vezzi, who belongs to the Hazara community, which was targeted during the first Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001, said he hoped that Afghans under the current Taliban leadership would see “harmony, honesty, brotherhood and brotherhood” in their country. You can create the atmosphere.” ,
Despite heavy security, gunshots were heard during the lunch break at the Loya Jirga tent of Kabul’s Polytechnic University. State broadcaster RTA said two attackers were killed.
The meeting, the first Loya Jirga since the Taliban takeover, has so far raised hope that some of the country’s current challenges can be addressed.
“It is a very positive step that the Taliban called for this gathering of scholars and tribal elders from all the provinces of Afghanistan. Hekmatullah Zaland, a member of the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies, told Arab News that the jirga has historically played an important role in discussing and resolving major national issues.
She added that it is important that important issues such as girls’ education, political reconciliation, people’s participation and engagement with the international community are raised, because such discussions “can help address the challenges we are facing now.” facing.”