Afghan Youth Debate: Look at Candidates' Records Before Voting

Academics and religious scholars in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province have reiterated their commitment to the April elections and sought to reassure voters that democracy is not at odds with Islam.

At an IWPR-backed discussion event held at Ghazni university on December 2, a panel of experts told the 100 undergraduates in the audience that free and fair elections were key to future progress.

The panellists included Maulavi Ghulam Mohammadi, a religious scholar from the Tawhid Madrassa; Mohammad Eshaq Mahdawi and Mohammad Rahimi, both of whom lecture in law and politics at the Khatam an-Nabiyyin university; and Juma Khan Hamdard, a political activist.

Answering a question about religion and democracy, Rahimi said Islam encouraged good governance, effective law and order and the active participation of an informed public.

He said candidates in the April 2014 presidential and provincial elections must be committed to a better Afghanistan, and have a proven track record of expertise and competence.

Abdullah Lami is a student in Ghazni province. 

This report was produced as part of Open Minds: Speaking Up, Reaching Out – Promoting University and Youth Participation in Afghan Elections, an IWPR initiative funded by the US embassy in Kabul.