PESHAWAR: Religious scholars from Pakistan and Afghanistan have voiced support for Afghan girls’ education and urged the world to help in stabilisation of the war-torn country.

A statement issued here on Friday said the religious scholars from both the countries were engaged by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) to discuss and present recommendations on issues of mutual interest.

It said the discussions keenly focused on the state of women’s rights in Afghanistan, economic repatriation and unfreezing of Afghan assets, an all-encompassing system of governance, including all ethnic groups, and regional peace and security.

The statement said throughout the dialogues held in 2022, the religious scholars voiced ardent support for Afghan girls’ and women’s rights to education and work.

They also remained open to the idea of including religious fraternity in matters beyond the issues of vice and virtue like bilateral trade, human rights, peace, security and tolerance in the region and governance.

The major watershed in the engagement with the religious fraternity is a comprehensive joint statement – issued by the eminent religious stakeholders and institutions from both the countries – underscoring the need for more synchronised cooperation on core bilateral issues, stabilisation of the Afghan economy and social infrastructure, and normalising education for girls and women.

The signatories of the joint statement included scholars and heads of eminent religious institutions from Pakistan and Afghanistan, namely Mufti Noman Naeem (Jamia Binoria, Karachi) ), Mufti Shoukatullah Haqqani (Darul Uloom Haqqania, Akora Khattak), Maulana Tayyab Qureshi (chief Khateeb, Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar), Dr Faryal Umbreen (Dawah Institute, Islamabad), Abdul Waheed Waheed (Afghan academician), Abdul Hakim Mujahid (former Afghan envoy to Pakistan), Mufti Shams-ur-Rehman Frotan (chairman Sharia Board, Afghan Central Bank), and Raza Khan Seerat (religious program host, Shamshad TV).

The signatories from Pakistan such as Darul Uloom Haqqania and Jamia Binoria are highly revered by the Afghan Taliban as some of their notable leaders have either remained affiliated with or graduated from these schools. Hence, the CRSS deems that such voices – reiterating bilateral cooperation and normalising female education – carry some magnitude and can amplify the message among the right partakers and decision-makers.

Published in Dawn, january 7th, 2023