Kunar Provincial Government holds rule of law training for religious leaders

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Oct. 28, 2009)– Kunar Province hosted rule-of-law training for 70 mullahs and religious leaders in Asadabad to teach influential people about legal rules and constitutional rights, Oct. 27.

The training was held at the Kunar provincial governor’s compound and included the Kunar Chief of Justice, Appellate Court judge, an Assistant Minister of Justice, the Director of Social Work and Disabled and the Islamic Institute principal and religious leaders.

The training focused on Afghanistan Constitutional law and penal code, women’s rights, security and the upcoming runoff elections.

“When people think of rule of law, they think of working with courts and prosecutors. The goal is to spread legal awareness to as many people as we possibly can. So not only are we going to work with the court system, but we are trying to find alternate ways to get the word out,” said U.S. Army Capt. Craig Scrogham, Task Force Mountain Warrior rule of law attorney and a native of Richmond Hill, Ga.

“Two other ways are the Hajj and Religious Affairs departments, which is what we did today, and tribal leaders training. We’re attacking from three different angles instead of focusing on just the courts.”

The rule of law is about people knowing what the rules are and looking to the government to follow and enforce the rules, which builds the legitimacy of the government, Scrogham said.

The Kunar Director of Hajj and Religious Affairs approached Coalition Forces for assistance to teach religious leaders about legal awareness, constitutional law and rights, anti-corruption, counterinsurgency and drug eradication.

“Different parts of Afghanistan are at different levels with regard to the rule of law. In major cities, everyone knows about the court systems. When you get further out, people may know about the courts, but they might not use them,” Scrogham said. “So today’s goal was to find an avenue that hasn’t really been used in the past and spread legal awareness.”

In Afghanistan, there is no separation of church and state and it becomes important to reach out to religious leaders. Article three of the Afghanistan Constitution states no law shall be passed that is contrary to the beliefs and provisions of Islam.

“Fifty of the 70 attendees today preach and teach at mosques and speak to up to 500 people each. By my math that is about 25,000 people who we have reached and spread the message of legal awareness and supporting the government,” Scrogham said.

According to Mullah Sayed Waliullah, a religious scholar and theologian at the Islamic Institute, the people of Afghanistan want peace and security.

“It is important for us to have peace and security. When we are in a community where there is peace and security, people are willing to go to mosque because they are not scared. If there is no peace, a person cannot go to Hajj or give his charity to poor people because they are afraid. A farmer cannot plant his crops without security. It is the responsibility of the religious leaders and scholars to teach people the right, responsible way.”

Waliullah told the attendees that people must sit together and bring peace and use the teachings of Mohammad and the Quran to guide them.

“Allah brought everyone together and brought gladness and life. People must sit together and bring peace,” Waliullah said. “Scholars and theologians, we have to know this. How will we bring peace and security? If security comes in a country, city, district, village or valley, it comes under the rules, laws and regulations of the country. We must get together and respect the rules and laws of Afghanistan, because it is an Islamic country and its people are Muslims.”