Elder Shura

One key to lasting peace in Afghan society is the shura, the councils comprised of village elders. The shura is the equivalent of a US town council or county board of supervisors. Shura has been the traditional manner of solving problems in Muslim society, as elders and community leaders gather to address local issues. Muslims believe that all decisions affecting the Islamic community should be made in shura, and believe that shura will therefore be the basis for implementing a representative democracy.

    Influential local elders for one of southern Afghanistan's deadliest regions recently agreed in shura to stop insurgent attacks, and expel foreign militants from their area.  Their initiative has raised hopes that growing number of civilians will turn on the Taliban, and support the Afghan government and ISAF forces. "We are cautiously optimistic about this agreement and will monitor whether it leads to reduced insurgent influence and a rejection of illicit activity," said Marine Maj.Gen. Richard Mills, the  ISAF commander for southwest Afghanistan until March 2011. This shura accord centers on Sangin, one of the remaining pockets of Taliban resistance in southern Helmand Province, their former stronghold. The Sangin agreement is comparable to the tribal revolt in Iraq's Anbar Province during 2006 and 2007 known as the "Awakening," which became a turning point in the Iraqi war. As you pray today, remember that this spring and summer are a critical time for the people of Afghanistan. Even as elders in shura are trying to end the violence, the Taliban are striking back savagely at any who seek peace.