KABUL, Afghanistan – At least 3,000 people across Afghanistan have been invited to a gathering of Islamic clerics, sources told TOLOnews, which is expected to be held at the Loya Jirga Hall on Wednesday in Kabul.
Three representatives, mostly clerics, from each village are invited, the sources said, adding the meeting will last for three days that will be focused on various issues in Afghanistan.
According to the sources, some traders and tribal elders have also been invited to the gathering, which might be aired on the radio only – excluding the TV broadcasts of the event.
“It is possible that in this meeting, the decision about the reopening of girls’ schools may be made–whether to allow girls to go to the school or not,” said Ahmad Munib Rasa, a political analyst, as TOLOnews quoted.
Since the Loya Jirga is just around the corner, the so-called Islamic Emirate government has not shared details of the event. But the matter on girls’ education is said to be on the agenda of the three-day event in Kabul.
Zabiullah Mujahid, the Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman, said that the Taliban leadership decided to hold the gathering following persistent call of many cleric convening for such a gathering.
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Meanwhile, Afghan female rights activist voiced out for their participation and involvement to the Loya Jirga gathering in Kabul, where they could speak for themselves.
“Our expectation is that all tribes, particularly women, be invited in such meetings, thus they can talk about their rights themselves,” said Marriam Maroof Arian, a female rights activist, as local media reported.
While majority are optimistic about the event, where they could inclusively decide on some hot issues in Afghanistan, political analysts believe generic views will result in more complications if they are not of professionals who can examine the ongoing challenges.
“Unless the views of the experts are included and the current challenges are examined, such views will bring Afghanistan into more problems and the current problems will not be solved,” said Javid Sandel, a political analyst.
Furthermore, Human Rights Watch said it is obvious “that there is a split of opinion within the Taliban” but hopes the inclusive gathering in Afghan capital will bring about justice, concerning ongoing restrictions against women rights
“One will be hoping very much that the Taliban might use this Jirga to take steps to improve some of their violations of human rights particularly in regard to women and girls,” said Heather Barr, associate director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.
Though, it is still uncertain how long the gathering will last, the Kabul Polytechnic University – where the gathering will be held – has dismissed students for a period of eight days.
