The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

the Directorate of Religious Affairs at the Council of Ministers, clerics who work at theMinistry of Justice, Ministry of Information and Culture, and faculty at the department oftheology at Kabul University) are closely connected with state bureaucrats. That group maybe more inclined to collaborate with the new regime than other clerics. However, oneshould bear in mind that while collaborating with the Khalqis, they can simultaneouslyserve the needs of the prominent religious figures who are enemies of the DRA.“Clerics work in the army and the police. Leaders of Pashtun tribes and villagelandlords are either closely connected to the clergy or are members of the clergythemselves. Finally, the influence of the lower rank of Muslim clergy, such as villagemullahs, is extremely high among the masses. Those clerics lead daily prayers and readFriday prayers in mosques. A mullah is present when an Afghan is born and while anAfghan grows up. He performs the circumcision ritual and then educates the young man inschool. When it is time to marry, the mullah leads the marriage ceremonies. When anAfghan peasant falls ill, he is treated by this same mullah, who serves as folk healer, ‘tabib’.As a rule, the mullah is the only literate person in the village. In order to read or write aletter or a business document, or to file a complaint with the authorities, most Afghans areforced to go to mullahs. The mullah is the most available person to conduct a trial and fulfillthe role of a judge if required.“There is a rule in practically all regions of Afghanistan, according to which thetown’s leaders take turns inviting the mullahs to their homes for daily meals (similar to thefeeding of herdsmen in Russian villages). This helps the mullahs understand the personallives of their parish members well, so that they can ensure adequate religious loyalty fromevery member.405