RIYADH – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of IslamicCooperation (OIC) have reportedly declared all armed groups as terroristsand urged the Taliban group to recognize the Afghan government andparticipate in political process through peaceful negotiations.

The invitation letter sent to scholars in Pakistan and Afghanistan in whichall armed groups in Afghanistan have been declared terrorists.

The source further adds that the letter is signed by Yousef A Al-Othaimeen,OIC secretary-general and a former Saudi cabinet minister.

The invitation says that the main purpose of the conference is to rejectthe “erroneous interpretations of Islamic views by terrorist groupsoperating in Afghanistan”.

“From this platform, we call on all armed groups to shun terrorism,recognise the Afghan government, sit at the negotiation table andparticipate in political process,” contents of the letter said, adding theprogress and development of Afghanistan are seriously impeded by theactivities of violent and extremist groups, illegal armed groups andcriminals.

This comes as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host an internationalconference of the religious scholars in coming days regarding the ongoingwar in Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan High Peace Council officials are saying that religiousscholars from 37 countries have said that they will participate in theconference.

High Peace Council spokesman Ehsanullah Taheri said the religious scholarsfrom Pakistan will also take part in the conference.

Taheri further added that the conference will be organized with the supportof the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

He said the participants of the conference will review the ongoing war inAfghanistan from the perspectives of Islam and Sharia.