Ulema asked to play effective role in peace

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Friday urged religious scholars to play a proactive role in bringing lasting peace to the country and cooperate with his administration in achieving the goal.

During a meeting with Afghanistan Council members at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Ahmadzai said he had a strong political will to force warlords and strongmen into respecting the law. He asked the ulema to help his government in this regard.

While assuring the president of all-out support, the religious scholars asked the government to wage a sustained campaign against killers, robbers, extortionists and land-grabbers. They also called for the appointment of competent and God-fearing people to senior positions.

The president said political problems could be addressed politically, a process in which scholars could play a vital role. He also called for stout public support to security personnel, calling them sons of the soil.

The ulema appealed to the international community to help equip Afghan forces with modern weaponry and reminded foreign troops of their responsibility to take serious steps to prevent civilian casualties — an emotive issue for the Afghans.

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