Building a strong, inclusive civil society in Afghanistan requires the participation and support of diverse communities, including its religious leaders.  In particular, the Ulema (religious scholars) are a vital component of Afghan society and their opinions are very influential.  As traditional agents of change at the local level, Ulema can educate followers and eliminate misperceptions held by the general public regarding civil society, the government, and women’s rights.

In late April, USAID and Counterpart International conducted and aired two radio roundtables with Ulema to discuss civil society, democracy, women’s role in society, and the upcoming elections. These were the first of many upcoming roundtables to enable Ulema to strengthen Afghan civil society and educate Afghans on a large scale.  RTA Radio One broadcast the roundtables, which reached audiences in all of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

During one of the discussions, Mohammad Azam Tariq, a member of Kabul University’s religious academy and mullah at the Suhail Rumi Congregational Mosque, outlined the role of a diverse civil society and the concept of democracy from an Islamic point of view. “Democracy in Islam has long, deep roots, in which all human rights are respected, everyone is given the right to choose, and all are treated equally,” he explained.  Opinions such as Mr. Tariq’s will reach many of his countrymen through radio, supporting healthy social discourse and the growth of a strong civil society in Afghanistan.