During the recent protest demonstrations against the anti-Islam film, some hate-mongering elements have been making provocative remarks. A prominent cleric in Kabul in his Friday sermon had expressed views that usually can be seen in Taliban propaganda. In a speech which was reported in media, he blamed the production of the infamous amateurish film on American leadership.

With extremely racist and fascistic remarks, the speech was also provocative of violence. He generalized all American Jews and said producers should be held accountable for any US soldiers killed in Afghanistan as a result of Muslim anger over the film. It sounds as if the cleric was expressing official views of the Islamic Emirate of Taliban.

Another university teacher addressing a demonstration last Friday actually condemned democracy. It is an open attack on our constitution. Even if ignored under the pretext of freedom of speech, he was calling for sentimental reactions that can cause violence.

The Government should take notice and stern action. Such elements that use the mosque loudspeaker to provoke violence and hatred should not be allowed to misuse religious sentiments of mass illiterate population.
In a country where the state religion is Islam, Government should have control on the religious affairs and use of mosques by extremist elements who spread venom of hatred.

Parliament should discuss this serious issue of national priority and recommend legislations about the kind of extremism hate-mongers spread. There should be a clear legal distinction between freedom of speech and hate speech.

In the extremely fragile and vulnerable religious atmosphere in Afghanistan, where extremism has plagued the whole society, we are in dire need of definition for the roles of religious clerics on the chair of Friday sermons in mosques. Many Muslim countries in Central Asia have taken very bold stance on this and their societies are on right path of social development and promotion of tolerance.

There should be regulations and prosecution for this. The Government and parliament committees can seriously engage moderate scholars and Ulema Council of Afghanistan for a debate on this. The Ministry of Religious Affairs should deal with the speeches in the mosques and give guidelines to imams.

This issue should not be controversial in a country where over 95 percent population is Muslim, the state religion is Islam and all in the Government are Muslims. Mosques should be registered to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and qualified preachers be allowed to lead the prayers.