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A community-based dialogue was organized in Nimruz Province on 31 March, 2021. The dialogue was organized for local residents in the Zaranj city, capital of Nimruz Province, South Western Afghanistan. The aim was to gather the opinions of local people on the peace and reconciliation process for Afghanistan.

The presence of diverse attendees from different ethnicities, gender, age group, religious beliefs, education level and backgrounds generated a thoughtful and realistic discussion. An emotional moment for most of the participants was when a young girl shed tears, pleading to the Taliban: “I know that you are also tired, from the deserts and mountains, hunger, cold and heat. I am pleading to you to join the peace process, there has been enough bloodshed.”

On 10 April, 2021, a community-based discussion was organized in Kandahar province. The participants comprised of the local residents in Kandahar city, and representatives from the adjoining districts of Dand, Daman, Panjwai and Takhtapul. The goal was to initiate a dialogue to gather the opinions of local people on the ongoing peace and reconciliation process for Afghanistan.

One of the tribal elders shared his concern about the peace talks: “We can’t let this unique opportunity for bringing peace in Afghanistan be misused by our politicians and warlords as they have their own personal interests. We need to unite and nominate our own leaders and representatives, people who are not corrupt, have a clean image, are neutral and well connected with local people, so that they can represent us in the best way possible.”

On 11 April, 2021, a community-based discussion for women was arranged in Kandahar city. The organizers invited the city’s women to unreservedly express their views on the ongoing peace talks. Around 110 women took part in the event, among them students, teachers, government employees and social activists. The participants raised general questions about the contradictory social scenario in Afghanistan; where on the one hand, women are asked to raise their voice and fight for their rights, while on the other hand, they are silenced and ignored.

They added that women are not only made for domestic work, cooking and cleaning but also can play a vital role in the major decision-making processes for the nation and contribute in the social and economic development of the country. One of the attendees even shared an Islamic perspective for the benefit of the Taliban, pointing out that even Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), his companions and the Caliphs used to consult well-informed women like Bibi Khadija, Hazrat Aisha, Bib Fatima and others during major decision making processes. As such, Afghan women should be also consulted and heard during the peace talks, she said.

A community-based dialogue was organized in Bameyan Province on 27 April, 2021. The dialogue was organized for local residents in front of historic Bameyan sculpture in Bameyan Province, Central Afghanistan. Almost 120 women and men from different walks of life participated in this Jirga.

The aim was to gather the opinions of local people on the peace and reconciliation process for Afghanistan. The attendees questioned the current peace talks, the legitimacy of the representatives and the potential outcome of the peace deal. Afghan women remain deeply concerned over whether the terms of any peace agreement will be honored and women rights protected.

A community-based dialogue was organized in Herat province on 3 July, 2021. The dialogue was organized for local resident in historic Qala e Ikhtiyarudean, Herat city. There was a total of 124 participants in the Herat city community jirga, that included tribe elders, social activists, university lecturers, school teachers and students. The aim was to gather opinions of educated urban citizens of Herat city on the peace process of Afghanistan.

One of the social activists shared his concern about the peace talk: “the current situation is not good from one side we see migration has started back and secondly investments and investors are going out of the country war is getting intense I call upon the government this situation is not beneficial to anyone, everyone killed in this war wither its Talib, civilian or government officials all are Afghans it’s the outsiders who brought war to our country to reach their personal interests. In this situation its needed to gather the people and see what people want? We see every day Afghans are getting killed our military fights for day without food and water but no one takes care of the situation, I want all sides to make peace and stop war.”

On 8 July, 2021, a community-based Jirga was organized in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province. The majority of attendees were young men and women, around 130 men and women from different walks of life participated in this jirga.

The main purpose of the event was to have an open discussion regarding the ongoing peace process and beyond, with the educated young citizens of Jalalabad city. One of the participant said that: “I think it is time to stop fighting each other and make peace through talking and we want peace, we want peace to protect women’s rights, we don’t want to go back to Dr. Najeeb time.”

On 12 July, 2021, a community-based Jirga was organized in the Darya Bar Spin Hotel in Panjshir. There were more than 200 people from different walks of life and they participated in this jirga. The views of the participants in our Jirga in Panjshir were much more pessimistic about the current peace process.

The people were saying “We are thirsty for peace but we have absolutely no hope for peace”, someone said “The peace process is being controlled by the outsiders and what you see in the negotiations table is a show.”