National Dialogue Session of "Meli Maraka" Held in Birmingham, UK

On July 10, 2025, over 50 national, political, academic, and social figures, along with officials and representatives from Afghan organizations in Birmingham and other cities in the UK, gathered to participate in a one-day national dialogue session for Afghans, or "Meli Maraka." This session, following meetings in London and Berlin, was part of a global consultative process for Afghans aimed at outlining a roadmap for an inclusive, Afghan-led national dialogue for peace, unity, and progress in Afghanistan.

The session began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, which created a reflective and spiritual atmosphere. Mr. Hanif Alkozi, representing the "National Axis" facilitating team, then delivered the opening speech, emphasizing the need to build trust, integration, and a shared vision among Afghans.

Following that, Dr. Sharif Zarif gave a comprehensive presentation on the goals, structure, and desired outcomes of the Afghan national dialogue process. He stressed that this process must be transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the realities of the lives of the Afghan people to pave the way for a just and lasting peace.

The national dialogue discussions were facilitated in several sessions by Dr. Sami Jurah, Mr. Farid Rahimi, and Dr. Ayaz Safi. The first panel focused on the vision, principles, and goals of the "Meli Maraka" national dialogue process. Participants emphasized that the process should be people-led, not elitist, and that all voices, especially those of women, youth, and marginalized groups, must be heard.

In subsequent sessions, the challenges and role of the Afghan diaspora were discussed. Participants spoke about fragmentation, the decline in public trust in previous processes, and the need for greater cooperation. The necessity for integration among exiled Afghans to effectively contribute to the national process was a key point of discussion.

Furthermore, participants focused on practical and strategic steps. Suggestions were made to establish local committees or branches of "Meli Maraka," to consolidate messages, and to create neutral spaces for continuing the dialogue.

A summary of the findings and suggestions was presented by Dr. Khusro Sangarwal, who emphasized that the results of this meeting in Birmingham, along with similar consultations in other parts of the world, would be integrated into the overall national dialogue process.

In the end, attendees declared their support for the creation of a "Birmingham Local Committee" to continue the process and ensure the voice of the local community is heard in the national dialogue. The session concluded with a sense of hope, commitment, and shared responsibility for a just and stable future.