Badghis elder vows to work for dispute resolution

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Mohammad Umar Shaikh Al Islami, a religious scholar in northwestern Badghis province, has pledged to work for the resolution of disputes among people and focus on consolidating peace in society.

Before the fall of the previous government, Shaikh Al Islami worked for the establishment of peace in the country. The 42 years old is a resident of Qala-i-Naw’s third police district.

Over the past 20 years, he has been trying to help resolve ticklish issues. He is focused dealing with matters related to establishment of peace in the country.

He recalled that six months before the collapse of the Ghani government, heavy fighting erupted in Qala-i-Naw, the provincial capital.

The fighting was so severe and heavy that people did not feel safe even in their homes and shops, Shaikh Al Islami said.

According to the scholar, one of the effective things je has done is the enforcement of a ceasefire between Islamic Emirate forces and the then government troops.

As a result of efforts by the scholar and other influential people, ceasefire was observed and many precious lives were saved.

Shaikh Al Islami not only helped implement the month-long truce, but he has also been instrumental in resolving feuds to let tribespeople live in peaceful co-existence.

In an exclusive chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, Shaikh Al Islami said: “May Allah accept efforts of every Muslim for peace. Allah blessed me and some other colleagues with success in enforcing the ceasefire in Badghis.”

He said they launched efforts to implement the truce, fearing that heavy fighting could harm the province, where bodies were seen lying on roadside and no obe dared to collect them for funeral.

“We talked to ex-government officials and Islamic Emirate mujahideen and helped enforce the ceasefire to help people live in peace for some time.”

The scholar said they asked the Taliban to push back their forces from the city and urged the government not to provide arms to common people.

Shaikh Al Islami added: “We won ceasefire pledges in written from both sides to boost public confidence and let residents live peacefully.”

Since then, he claimed, no fighting had happened in the province and people had been living in tranquility.

In his message, he asked others to strive for the peaceful resolution of disputes among people. To him, peace is the key to development in an Islamic society.

The religious leader said: “A lasting ceasefire has been a longstanding aspiration of all Afghans. May Allah bring durable peace in to country.

“I would like to ask the Islamic Emirate mujahideen to work for peace in the country. Our people also have to play a proactive role in peace in line with Allah’s commands.  ”

He called resolution of disputes in the country a huge challenge and said: “I will work even harder to sort out disputes because a small issue may morph into a complex social problem.”

Some Badghis residents, meanwhile, hailed efforts by Shaikh Al Islami and other elders. Their endeavours have brought normalcy to the province, where people have returned to their homes.

Mohammad Rahim, hailing from Badghis, acknowledged: “Shaikh Al Islami and Raees Ahmad Khan are among te individuals who always worked for peace and people’s welfare.

“They have been able to successfully mediate between the Taliban and the former personnel of government forces,” the resident added.

“The scholar and some tribal elders have become a living example for others, who had learnt from them how to mediate between warring parties,” Rahim remarked.

He said they fully supported efforts of elders, like Shaikh Al Islami, who worked for peace, elimination of social violence and achieving a ceasefire.

nh/mud

Views: 70