Before the world went berserk, the month of Ramadan and places of worship like church, synagogue and mosque are a sanctuary during the time of war or hostilities but not today where more are killed in places of worship and death toll increased astronomically during the month of Ramadan. In a rare and first gesture for peace instigated and inspired by religion, the Afghan Taliban announced a 3-day cease-fire over the Eid al-Fitr holiday to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
A statement released Saturday by the Taliban said that they would defend themselves in case of any attack. They say foreign forces are excluded from the cease-fire and Taliban operations would continue against them.
The statement added that the leadership of the Taliban may also consider releasing prisoners of war if they promise not to return to the battlefield.
Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, the spokesman for the Afghan president, welcomed the cease-fire announcement during a news conference in Kabul.
“We hope that (the Taliban) will be committed to implementing their announcement of the cease-fire,” he said. “The Afghan government will take all steps needed to make sure that there is no bloodshed in Afghanistan.”
“The government of Afghanistan is hopeful that this process will become a long-term process and will result in a sustainable peace,” Chakhansuri added.
Earlier on Thursday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced a weeklong cease-fire with the Taliban to coincide with the holiday.
No less than 400 people have been killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of Ramadan in a war between the Taliban and government forces backed by NATO
