To what extend are you hopeful for a peaceful, stable and just future of Afghanistan? Through what ways a peaceful future could be achieved in Afghanistan?
By: Mohammad Razi Ahmadi – Texas, US
Author / Writer
To have a better image of the Afghan conflict/violence I would like to apply Johan Galtung typology. He believes in three forms of conflict/violence: direct, constructive and cultural. In order to eradicate the conflict, the peace culture shall be applied in these three forms as well. He adds that the conflict still will exist if the peace culture would not be applied in these forms. Galtung explains the direct conflict/violence as murdering, harassment; and the constructive conflict/violence as restriction over a certain group of people and creating limitation on equal access to the national resources; and the cultural conflict/violent as destroying the historic sings and values of a certain group. Considering these typology, all the three forms of conflict/violence are present in Taliban administration. The studies show that such conflict/violence can be resolved by reciting and reinterpreting the religion principals as per the requirements of the development and civilization; and developing the coexistence and cooperation principles; thus, to provide the ground for peace culture to be institutionalized. The major factors are establishing the reconciliation/mediation centers, discourses, conferences, workshops and training centers as well as the bilateral and multilateral meetings to create the space for understanding and trust through the dialogue, not deal. Further, the “Hermeneutics of Citizenship” acts as a major challenge ahead of peacebuilding. For instance, the Taliban identify themselves as the original citizens and legitimize their ownership over the territory, economic, cultural and social affairs. The scholars recommend to achieve peace by passing the “hermeneutics citizens” and to reach/accept the “civil religion”. To be successful in this matter, the ruling party should provide the ground for “peace journalism”, conferences, forums, inclusive training centers and educational institutes. The circumstances in Afghanistan are not fair for “civil religion” and “peace journalism”, if we have a look at different occasions and religious events/ceremonies. Considering the current situation of Afghanistan, I would conclude my points as below: Since all the conflict/violence forms are present, the “hermeneutics citizenship” are preserved, the “war journalism” are active, and there is no single movement and intention toward eradicating them, the peace culture cannot be institutionalized; thus, the Afghan people would suffer another conflict era in new forms and definitions.
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