The UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan has urged all parties to the conflict for peace during the holy month of Ramadan. He said Afghanistan has endured more than three decades of violence and is undergoing a political and security transition which is vital to its future development. Wishing peace and happiness throughout the holy month, he called upon all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of this month and allow Afghan families to worship and celebrate in peace.
Recently, there has been a sharp increase in Taliban attack across the country. Mostly civilians become target of such attacks. Militants are particularly attempting to launch a deadly attack in capital, with two failed ones.

Last week a media outlet mistakenly reported that the Taliban have announced to avoid violence in the month of Ramadan, but Zabjihullah Mujahid, their so-called spokesman, quickly rebuffed the claim saying there will not by any reduction or stop in the Taliban attacks.

According to the teachings of Islam and what Allah has asked His faithful men, the holy month of Ramadan is a month of blessings, forgiveness, kindness, brotherhood and love of humanity. But unfortunately Afghanistan is gripped with devastating violence and terror by the forces of darkness during the holy month.

Allah says this is a month of love and peace. The militants have been trying to make it a month of violence and bloodshed for innocent Afghan civilians as they are responsible for over 80 percent of casualties. There have been suicide bombings and attacks.

Ordinary Afghans, who are faithful Muslims, have kept silent on such atrocity at the hands of Taliban. If there was an incident with such grave violation of our religious values outside the country in any western state, our people would have started countrywide protest demonstrations. But they keep mum on our own miserable situation. Taliban have brought grief to many families and they will continue it during Ramadan.

Besides the violence, there is other double-standard show of extreme hypocrisy in our society. Allah says Ramadan is a month of blessings and kindness, when His men help those in need. But it is practiced the opposite in Afghanistan. People, instead of supporting each other, get involved in the activities that are non-Islamic and negative for the society as a whole.