KABUL – Afghan Taliban on Tuesday hit out at the International Conferenceof religious scholars in Saudi Arabia, saying no one reserved the right tocall them terrorists.
Saudi Arabia and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) havecompleted preparations to host the International Conference of MuslimScholars on Peace and Stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan inJeddah and Makkah on July 10 and 11.
Around 110 religious scholars from over 36 Muslim countries, includingAfghanistan, Pakistan Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, theUAE, Kuwait, Sudan and Tunisia, are participating in the conference.
In a statement, the Taliban said the ongoing jihad in Afghanistan wasneither a war among Afghans or conflict among Muslims. This war started 17years ago when Americans Invaded Afghanistan and thus Afghan Mujahidnationals launched the jihad, the group said.
The statement added a new war stagey — announced planned by PresidentDonald Trump — was being executed in Afghanistan. The Afghans forces couldnot change the war because they were not independent, it added.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is not a rebel or terrorist group. Itis representative of the 30 million Afghans and has been struggling forIslam and independence”, the statement said.
It would be unfair and irrational to call a nation with a great historyterrorist and rebel. Nobody had the right to do this, the movement said.
“In light of the above points, if someone still brands this mujahid nationa terrorist, they would be complicit in the invasion of American aggressorsand oppression of Muslims.”
The statement called on participants of the Islamic conference to standwith the ordinary Afghans and support their righteous struggle.