Kabul – In a significant diplomatic move, a high-level delegation of senior Islamic scholars from Bangladesh has arrived in Kabul for a fact-finding mission and a series of high-level meetings.
The delegation, which includes prominent figures such as Mawlana Mamunul Haque and Mufti Mawlana Monir Hossain Qasemi, arrived on Wednesday, 17 September, marking a new chapter in direct, people-to-people engagement with the current Afghan leadership.
The visit, organized and facilitated by Prosper Afghanistan, a UK-based non-governmental organization, aims to bridge the gap between two large Muslim-majority countries that share deep cultural and religious ties but have had minimal bilateral interaction.
The mission is set to explore increased cooperation in crucial sectors such as trade, healthcare, and education, building on the goodwill created by Bangladesh’s immediate humanitarian assistance following a recent devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.
Public Engagement with the Islamic Emirate
The delegation’s arrival is a landmark event, as noted by Faisal Ahmad, Director of Prosper Afghanistan.
“This visit marks a significant first: a public delegation of senior Bangladeshi ‘ulamā’ engaging directly with the leadership of the Islamic Emirate in Kabul as part of a fact-finding mission,” Ahmad stated.
This direct engagement is particularly notable given the limited diplomatic ties between the two nations, despite their common regional and religious heritage.
Ahmad highlighted the immense potential for collaboration that has long been unfulfilled. “Trade is small, diplomatic representation minimal despite their common region and shared religious and cultural ties,” he explained.
The delegation’s mission is a concrete step toward rectifying this historical void, driven not by traditional political diplomacy but by a focus on mutual interests and strengthening personal connections. The organization, which has a track record of coordinating similar delegations of scholars and medical professionals, sees this as a foundational step toward a more robust relationship.
The timing of the visit is also significant, coming just after a major natural disaster. The delegation will seek to build on Bangladesh’s swift humanitarian response to promote a joint bilateral capacity to respond more effectively in times of future crises.
Taliban Welcomes Pragmatic Engagement
The visit has been met with a warm reception from the Afghan side. Mullah Abdul Mannan, a senior minister in the Islamic Emirate and the brother of the late Mullah Muhammad Omar, expressed his profound happiness at the delegation’s arrival.
“From the depth of my heart, I’d like to express my happiness at receiving your delegation here in Afghanistan,” he said.
The minister’s comments signal the Taliban government’s openness to non-political, people-to-people engagement that prioritizes tangible cooperation over formal recognition.
Mullah Mannan’s welcoming words set an optimistic tone for the discussions, adding, “We hope this visit marks the beginning of stronger ties between our two countries.”
This sentiment aligns with the broader shift in global diplomacy, where more governments and institutions are choosing to engage with Afghanistan pragmatically.
As pointed out by Faisal Ahmad, Russia’s formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate in July, along with many other countries working with Kabul on practical matters, suggests a global movement toward a more realistic and less politically charged approach to the current Afghan government.
The delegation, which also includes Mawlana Abdul Hamid, Mawlana Abdul Awal, and Mawlana Abdul Haque, will prioritize scholarly and diplomatic ties, with an eye toward increased cooperation in education and agriculture, two sectors with clear potential for significant growth.
