Pope Francis calls for an end to discrimination based on religion and gender

Pope Francis, in a meeting with representatives of the Afghan community, called for an end to discrimination based on religion and gender.

It has been about three years since the Taliban took power, and reports from Afghanistan show widespread discrimination against ethnic groups, religions, and minorities, especially women. Since most Taliban members are Sunni Pashtuns, they strongly condemn the activities of other religions, and by practicing gender apartheid against women, they have banned girls from education beyond primary school, barred women from working in government and private offices, and have imposed many pressures and restrictions on women and girls.

Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, met and talked with a group of nine representatives of the Afghan Community Association in Italy during his weekly visit. After this meeting, he also met with the people and, while condemning violence and discrimination based on religion and gender, asked people to pray for an end to discrimination in Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially discrimination against women.

He addressed the people, saying: "Afghanistan and Pakistan are made up of many ethnic groups, all of whom are proud of their unique culture, traditions, and way of life. Unfortunately, instead of protecting and supporting these characteristics and rights of all groups, some people use cultural, ethnic, or religious diversity as an excuse to discriminate and exclude other groups."

He emphasized that the religious factor, by its very nature, should help reduce the intensity of conflicts and create an environment in which everyone can enjoy full citizenship rights equally and without discrimination, but too often, religion is manipulated and used as a tool to achieve contradictory goals such as creating tension, hatred and violence. "No one should encourage hatred, malice and violence against others in the name of God."

Pope Francis, while referring to the tense situation in the Middle East after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and expressing concern about the increase in tension and conflicts in the Middle East, added: "I continue to follow the situation in the Middle East with great concern and I repeat my request to all parties involved that this conflict not spread and that an immediate ceasefire be established on all fronts, especially in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is very serious and unbearable."