Professor Sibghatullah Al-Mojaddedi, former President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and current Chairman of the Senate and the Independent Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, visited IIIT on Tuesday February 19, 2008.

 

Professor Al-Mojaddedi briefed the audience at IIIT about his religious and political leadership. He summarized his long journey of imprisonment, exile, teaching, and political roles to bring about peace in Afghanistan. His reconciliation endeavors have helped about 6,000 warring men relinquish their arms and come together under his guidance and advice, trying to become better citizens.

 Following the lunch hosted by IIIT, Professor Al-Mojaddedi answered a number of questions from the audience on issues ranging from the causes of the unrest in Afghanistan to the prospects of achieving peace and stability in the country. He felt that unrest was the result of interference from outside forces and that, given freedom and resources to act on their own, the Afghani people can bring about peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He emphasized that although the Afghani people are now suffering a lot from poverty, the country is quite rich in natural resources, particularly minerals. Given stability, peace, and getting rid of rampant corruption, the country will prosper and progress on its own.