‘Improved economy strengthens peace and security’

QALA-i-NAW (Pajhwok): Participants of a meeting in western Badghis province discussed ways how to address disputes in society and reduce domestic violence, asking the government to prioritize economic programs.

The meeting titled “Strengthening Social Efforts to Build Conflict Management Skills”, was organized by Pajhwok Afghan News in Badghis in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The meeting was attended by 25 Islamic scholars, local elders, youths, civil society activists and women who discussed dispute resolution.

Abdul WahedParsa, a professor at Badghis University, discussed reduction of violence and resolving disputes, and described domestic violence and community-level disputes as one of the major problems in the country.

“Any act in which coercion is involved is called violence, which can start from family and spread to society and the country,” he said.

Justice should be enforced in all areas because if justice is denied, it can lead to violence and disputes, he said.

He termed active role of people, Islamic scholars and elders in resolving disputes in the society as important and noted that everyone should be diligent in resolving differences.

Meanwhile, MulaviNoorahmadHamed, a religious scholar and one of the participants in the meeting, said that Islam is a religion of love, peace and reconciliation, and that Prophet Mohammad SAW encouraged people to stop violence and get united.

“Peace means resolving differences between the parties of a dispute and establishing an agreement between them,” he added.

“Everyone should work for a real, positive and lasting peace, so that violence and disputes are totally eliminated,” he said, referring to peace in the country after the fall of the previous government.

Hamed said that if people in all matters of their life observed the rules of Islam, it will help them to have a peaceful life and free from violence.

About humanitarian crisis after the fall of Ashraf Ghani administration, he said, “Our people are struggling with economic poverty, we need all the people to unite and deal with this problem.”

Meanwhile, Abdul RazzaqEsmat, a civil society activist in Badghis province, and another participant in the meeting, said: “Real peace and security in a family, society and country is ensured when we start correction from ourselves, let’s treat those around us with kindness and work with the utmost patience in times of anger and rage.”

“Peace will be further strengthened and we will have a strong Afghanistan when national unity is strengthened and a comprehensive government is established, hatreds and ambiguities are removed, and we all live in brotherhood,” Esmat said.

People should be provided with more awareness about their religious responsibility towards reducing violence, so it would help to have a peaceful society, he said.

Prof. NariHiwadmal, head of Higher Education Institute of Badghis in the meeting, said, “Reforms start from lower level and then extended to higher level which eventually lead to a violence free society.”

Meanwhile, NegitaShirzad, a women rights activist in the province and another participant of the conference, said she was pleased with the program and the participation of women in it. “Even if the war is ended, there are still many problems in society that should be resolved.”

She said that economic problem of people was one of the biggest challenges in the country and it needed to be resolved.

Shirzad called on the government to take serious and practical action to reduce poverty by launching economic programs.”A thriving economy strengthens peace and security,” she said.

She also asked the government to call back women to work and open universities and high schools for women and girls.

mds/ma

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