Thanks to jirga, Lashkargah families bury the hatchet

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): A year-long enmity between two families in Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, has turned into peace as a result of mediation efforts by a tribal jirga.

Sardar Mohammad Hamdard, a member of the tribal jirga, told Pajhwok Afghan News the families of Asadullah and Maulvi Ahmad Shah clashed a year ago.

The clash led to the killing of Ahmad Shah’s uncle, but his family has now agreed to pardon the rival family due to mediation from the jirga, he said.

Shah said: “For Allah’s pleasure and in deference to the jirga’s demand, I have pardoned the family of Asadullah. I don’t want our future generations to inherit this feud.”

Asadullah Khan, an elder from the other family, commented: “We are happy that the enmity has come to an end.” He thanked Shah for forgivimg his family.

Asadullah acknowledged enmity and fighting were in no one’s interest. From now on, he hopes, the two families will live like brothers.

Religious scholars, meanwhile, also expressed their pleasure over the end to the enmity and prayed to Allah to save all Muslims from feuds.

Maulvi Hanif, a scholar, called reconciliation a good omen, signifying Allah’s pleasure.

He urged Muslims to settle feuds and live in peace and brotherhood.

Ihsanullah Haq Parast, a civil society activist, also hailed reconciliation as a welcome move and commended tribal elders’ decision.

He said: “I welcome this move of tribal elders because the continuation of enmity is in no one’s favour. All people must live in peace.”

He asked people to shun petty differences and stubbornness that created chaos in society and led to long-running feuds.

The ordinary people also do not consider enmities a good thing for society and want the government and tribal elders to resolve them with a sense of urgency.

Mohammad Hashim, a resident of Lashkargah, said: “Enmity is the mother of all miseries. Prosperity comes with peace, so all must choose prosperity over enmity. I want tribal elders and officials to end feuds among the people.”

Officials of Borders and Tribal Affairs Department also appreciated the end to the enmity through mediation and talks.

Sheikh Noor Mohammad, jirga head at the Borders and Tribal Affairs Department, stressed such problems should be addressed at the earliest possible.

Mohammad called on the people to live in peace and brotherhood instead of perpetuating feuds.

He encouraged all tribal elders and influential figures to take timely steps for the solution of such problems among the people.

Another feud, which erupted over an irrigation issue between two families in Marja district, was recently settled by a tribal jirga.

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