Sufism has shaped Afghan society and politics for much of the country's history. Today, very few are aware of this legacy. Might the Sufis now provide an important contribution to the stability of the country? By Marian Brehmer
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Fatima Gailani was recovering from cancer at the height of the pandemic when she got the call that dragged her out of retirement for the third time.
The Trump administration had signed an Afghanistan peace deal with the Taliban to put an end to the United States’ longest war. American-sponsored peace talks between the insurgent group and the Afghan government were to follow. Would she like to join?
Fatima Gailani is helping negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban.
Gailani, the daughter of an aristocratic Afghan family, tried to talk herself out of it. She had witnessed world powers re-establish the country with the stroke of a pen in Bonn in December 2001, but she also saw diplomacy crumble just as swiftly in ensuing years. Still, the prospect of healing her country’s deepest wounds was too strong.
Meet Fatima Gailani: The Afghan woman staring down the Taliban smh.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smh.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.