JAKARTA: Muslim scholars from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia issued an edict on Friday saying that violent extremism and terrorism, including suicide attacks, are against Islamic principles, in an effort to convince the Taliban to end its violence.
Seventy prominent Muslim scholars from the three countries issued the fatwa at a conference in Indonesia on ways to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who opened the one-day meeting, stressed Indonesia’s commitment to helping build peace in the war-torn country.
Jokowi said the conference was part of Indonesia’s efforts to encourage the role of Islamic clerics, or Ulema, in promoting peace in Afghanistan.
“Through the voice of ulema, mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia, presumably the spirit of brotherhood for peace in Afghanistan can be strengthened,” Jokowi said.
“Ulema are the agents of peace … they have the power to form the face of peaceful people,” Jokowi said.
He expressed hope that the conference could contribute concretely to peace in Afghanistan.
In a declaration, the scholars said Islam was a religion of peace and denounced all kinds of violent extremism and terrorism.
