Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Militants Continue Violence Despite Being Condemned by Clerics

The widespread violence in Afghanistan fills the air with a sense of disappointment. The graph of casualty remains high and there is no remedy for the bleeding wound of Afghan nation. The deadly game of terrorist networks, supported by mysterious hand, never comes to an end. Afghans’ sufferings continue unabated. Life is indescribably cheap and human rights are flagrantly violated as a result of war. More than a decade has passed from the conflict; however, the main reason behind this fighting still remains a mystery.
There are three main reasons regarding the war carried out by the militants: First, it is believed that warring parties are constituted of a number of ideologues. Their ideology tends to be very violent for rooting in fundamentalism. For instance, some warring parties, mainly the Taliban, claimed to establish the divine rule on the surface of earth. According to them, Moslems have deviated from the right path and non-Moslems are already infidels. Therefore, shedding the blood of both the groups would be allowed. On the other hand, political figures claim that ideology – which is tinged with harsh and burning emotions and revolutionary spirit – will cool down and its revolutionary nature will change into institution with the passage of time. But this fact has not been proved with the militants’ ideology. They seek to tailor people’s beliefs and religious attitudes, from all walks of life, according to their own beliefs and warped minds – this is not possible and the only choice left for the militants will be killing any groups. Second, it is believed that a number of individuals join militants so as to alleviate their financial pressure. This group does not care about ideology but paid to fight (mercenary fighters) and which is why the bulk of militants are formed by villagers who are deprived of social welfare. Third, some adventurous people, such as cowboys, show tendency towards militancy for no reason other than adventure – perhaps they are the most dangerous group and nothing – including moral values, religious beliefs, human’s life and dignity –  will be sacred for them. It is most likely that almost all warring parties, including the Taliban, are constituted of all these three groups.
However, it is hard to figure out which of the three said groups will form the bulk of the Taliban’s outfit. It is seems that the Taliban do not fight for faith and beliefs. For instance, the clergy and great clerics called the Taliban’s war illegitimate from religious perspective and constantly condemned their acts. The Taliban fighters kill men, women and children indiscriminately, which is a big sin in Islam. The Ulema’s fatwa did not bear the desired result. To one’s unmitigated chagrin, clerics are also targeted by the Taliban.
Clerics have called recently on the Taliban to stop violence saying that their acts of killings Afghan civilians and soldiers are against Islamic tenets.
Ill-fatedly, the clergy challenge the Taliban’s ideology or practices, their life would be at stake. The Taliban will never debate their ideology for not being able to justify their practices. If they are defeated in negotiation, they would lose everything. Therefore, they simply propagandize regarding their ideology and continue their harsh practices. So, the Taliban are a great obstacle to democracy and great violator of human rights. They struggle not to let the seeds of democracy grow in the country.
To cut the long story short, the protected war has never been mitigated despite sacrifices made by Afghan people as well as the intra-Afghan talks started in Qatar. The gory incidents continue. Gushes of blood lead to outpouring of grief. Bodies of men, women and children are riddled with bombs and bullets. Seeking to protect the rights and dignity of individuals, Afghan soldiers are slayed in cold blood. We are only counting the fatalities and sending messages of condemnation to warring parties. 
It is hoped the government will take high steps in safeguarding the rights and dignity of Afghans and reinforce the soldiers to retaliate the past casualties. It is further prayed that Afghan nation will no further be a casualty of radical mindsets and fundamental ideology of militant groups.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have to stop playing a game in the peace talks and reduce their acts of violence and targeting Afghan civilians, which is not in their interests.