Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — Senior Islamic scholars from Pakistan and Afghanistan signed on Thursday the historic “Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan," paving the way for a solution to the long-standing crisis in the war-hit Asian country.

The religious scholars were led by Pakistan’s Minister of Islamic Affairs and Tolerance of Religions Sheikh Dr. Noor Al-Haq Qadri and Afghanistan’s Minister of Hajj, Endowments and Guidance Sheikh Muhammad Qasim Qasim Halimi.

The peace declaration supports negotiations among the warring factions and rejects acts of violence and extremism in all their forms and manifestations.

The peace declaration was signed during a conference hosted by the Muslim World League (MWL) in the holy city of Makkah with the support of Saudi Arabia in the presence of Secretary-General of the MWL Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, who is also the president of the Association of Muslim Scholars.

The historic declaration seeks to address all political, social, economic and other issues through the spirit of joint action in order to stop the bloodshed and lead the Afghan people to the path of peace, reconciliation, stability and progress with the help of God.

The declaration also emphasized that violence is not linked to any religion, nationality, civilization or race, adding that violence resulting from extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including violence against civilians and suicide attacks is contrary to the basic principles of the Islamic faith.

The scholars of Pakistan and Afghanistan extended thanks and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for Saudi Arabia's firm and historic stance in support of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

They highlighted the Saudi efforts for building bridges and uniting the ranks, which culminated in bringing the scholars of both sides on one platform.

The scholars also underlined the importance of the Kingdom in building solidarity and harmony in the Islamic world, stressing their aspiration for its continuous support to maintain the momentum generated by this declaration among scholars in the Islamic world in general, and among scholars in Pakistan and Afghanistan in particular.

In the opening session, Sheikh Al-Issa said that this historic meeting was held under the auspices and support of Saudi Arabia under the umbrella of the Muslim World League, stressing that Saudi Arabia has always been keen on playing a key role in addressing the crisis in Afghanistan and the necessity to find a peaceful solution to it.

"There have been many initiatives, and voices that called to expedite reconciliation between the Afghan Muslim people and to get them out of the current impasse. This is a moral and ethical strength and a lively conscience, stemming from bitter conflicts that occurred in society, and it is an expression of the victory of the voice of reason and the silencing of bullets and explosions that burnt everything. As a government official I can say now that all barriers to reconciliation are removed,” Halimi said.

Nurul Haq Qadir said that bringing peace and tranquility and promoting tolerance in society is one of the main goals of the right religion. He said: "Our religion teaches us harmony and unity and supports international cooperation and participation in all charitable works. Islam speaks of protecting the homeland, encourages development and prosperity, and commands the promotion of peace and the avoidance of riots."

"The two countries have supported every step taken to bring security and peace to the entire region, especially in Afghanistan and worldwide, and I hope that the two brotherly countries will continue to play a dynamic and effective role in peace," he said.

For his part, Afghanistan Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Javed Mujadidi stressed that the importance of this conference lies in the fact that it is being held in the holiest place in the world, in the presence of a group of distinguished scholars, stressing that the Kingdom has never failed Afghanistan, and is still working and contributing to achieving security and peace in it.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shafiq Samim, ambassador and permanent representative of Afghanistan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stressed that Saudi Arabia’s efforts and its leaders are supportive, fruitful, and successful in finding fundamental solutions to conflicts in the Islamic world.

He explained that Afghanistan has tasted the bitterness of wars over the past four decades, and has experienced events and battles that have destroyed the country, stressing that this conference is a serious attempt to search for ways to solve the Afghan problem through constructive dialogue and effective mediation.