The name mullah inadvertently makes one think of a rigid, one track minded individual who believes he alone is the guardian of the Islamic faith and an agent to enforce it. In actuality he is a technician and as technician he is expected to have completed basic training in at least the "how to" aspects of the five pillars of Islam.

Of course there are venues open to him to further his knowledge in religion beyond the sphere of the five pillars of Islam as well and be promoted, in Afghan religious hierarchy, to the respectable position of Mawlawi. A Mawlawai is much more than a technician in that he has a command, to a certain extent, of the Arabic, the language of the Holy Koran. He is considered a scholar in the study of both the Koran and Hadith, which is the sayings of the prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him.

It is strange to find out that while in the sacred religion of Islam, government is part and parcel of the faith; the religious scholars only concentrate in learning about how to be a performing Moslem and about divinity at the cost of learning about modern sciences and technology as well. In their studies they do not learn about government and or politics.

In Afghanistan, the Ulema, the religious scholars, carry high respect among the population and their interventions in the affairs of the society carry a considerable weight. A recent report published on the Internet referred to a recent meeting the Ulema Council of Afghanistan had with Hamid Karzai the head of the transitional government on Friday 14 May 2004 in Kabul. The group issued a statement after the meeting, which touched upon extremely important and vital issues in the life of the country. These included among others the following points:

Expressing of thanks to Karzai who, in response to a request by the Council, had issued a decree about fighting social corruption.

Supporting the process of voter registration and urging all Afghans to obtain voter cards and take part in elections.

Condemning assassination of religious scholars and especially that of Mawlawi Abdul Bari.

Urging the elements opposing the government who commit atrocities against the people and the government and at the behest of foreigners, to abandon their opposition and fighting, and join the government in the process of peace and reconstruction.

Asking government authorities and judicial courts and prosecutors to issue the severest punishment, capital punishment, to child kidnappers, so that this growing crime can be stopped.

Requesting the international peacekeeping forces to avoid arresting Afghans without evidence and consultation with the Afghan government and to avoid treatment of detainees in manners that are contrary to Islamic law, Afghan culture and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Expressing and reiterating their detest and condemnation of production, stockpiling and trafficking of drugs.

Supporting the declaration of the transitional government's president regarding curtailment of violence against women, forced marriages and feud marriages (marrying girls to end tribal feuds). The Ulema called these undesirable customs that are against Islamic Law.

Opposing any form of violence and abuse against detainees and prisoners of war, and denouncing these as inhuman practices.

Denouncing terrorism in any form, under any name and committed in any part of the world, calling on international community to confront terrorism in all its forms, including state-sponsored.

Supporting the resolution of the Ulema of the Southwestern Zone of the country who had denounced social corruption and who had invited all concerned for peace, fraternity and national unity.

And finally, expressing of support to the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan.

The declaration shows a considerable degree of maturity on the part of the Council regarding national and international issues related to Afghanistan. It shows their concern for the well being of the nation and the need for its reconstruction. However, it does not commit the Ulema themselves in taking any active role in the process of building the nation. It is therefore suggested that President Karzai use the opportunity of the support he has received from the religious scholars in devising a plan to involve the religious hierarchy in the process of reconstruction and revival of the nation. I suggest that the government take the following into consideration:

Mullah is a part and parcel of the Afghan community from the village level all the way to towns and cities. The Mullahs, according to a rough estimate number over 150,000. This is to consider that there are a little over 30,000 villages in the country that each has at least four to five mosques and then there are districts and towns that have mosques and congregation mosques. A Mullah runs each of these.

The government can and should run with the help of the Council of Ulema, refresher courses with specific topics for groups of Mullahs on a regional basis. These courses should define the role of the Mullah as a social agent in the process of building of the nation on the ashes of war and devastation. The Mullah should, in these courses, receive specific information regarding social demands, at par with religious values, on him to serve the Islamic nation. The Mullah should receive instruction and information on all aspects of democratic values, the importance of education, respecting the rights of women, participation in the political life of the country by taking part in a positive manner in elections and registration and casting of votes. In other words, the Mullah can and must be retrained to meet the challenges of the 21st century facing him and his society. The UN and other sources of assistance can be approached to finance such a national effort and religious and other scholars can join hands in devising of a curriculum for the effort.

Thus with the help of the Ulema and taking them up on their support expressed in the recent declaration, the Mullah who has been a religious technician can be entrusted to become an agent of revival and reconstruction and an effective person in propagating democracy at the grass roots level. And the country would benefit from a retrained army of more than 150,000 agents of change. 5/22/04