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.
