KABUL (Pajhwok): The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, has called for coordination and unity among religious scholars and government officials and urged university authorities to focus on students’ education and religious awareness.
IEA deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat wrote on his X account that the supreme leader had met the minister of higher education, ministry deputies, central directors, and heads of religious and other government universities and issued them advice and instructions.
According to Fitrat, Akhundzada said religious scholars are the heirs of the prophets and have a responsibility to reform people and guide them towards the right path.
He said: “Allah Almighty has placed a great responsibility on religious scholars. The higher the position He has given them, the greater their responsibility. Allah Almighty has preserved this religion until this day and, after the prophets, entrusted its preservation to the religious scholars. Whenever anyone acted against the religion, religious scholars stood against them and took steps to protect the faith. After the prophets, it has been the scholars who have protected the religion and faith, and it is their responsibility to continue doing so.”
He said religious scholars should explain religion to the people and teach them about Sharia, while rulers should implement policies.
“If the advice and religious guidance of the scholars and the government’s policies are both on the right track, all people will be reformed and corruption will not emerge in society,” he said.
The IEA leader said “rulers, mujahideen and religious scholars” have important responsibilities in reforming and guiding people, adding that the public follows their actions and they should therefore fulfil their responsibilities properly.
He urged officials to avoid negligence and work to strengthen the system.
Addressing university officials, Akhundzada said they had a special responsibility because students would in future enter government service and work as doctors, engineers and professionals in other fields.
He urged university authorities to pay serious attention to students’ education, provide them with comprehensive training and give them the necessary religious awareness.
He described educating students as an important responsibility of university officials.
Fitrat said that at the end of the meeting, after the Ministry of Higher Education presented its activities and achievements, the scholars renewed their allegiance to the IEA leader and pledged to make full efforts to establish the Sharia-based system.
hz/sa
