The Shia Ulema Council held a large gathering on Tuesday and its members called for an inclusive government in which Shia Muslims of Afghanistan will be represented and the rights of all minorities will be respected.

Ayatullah Salehi Mudaras, a member of the Shia Ulema, said: “Our demands should be taken seriously. We want honorable officials, Jafari Jurisprudence (Shia school ) should be recognized.”

“Nobody should be deprived of his or her political and sectarian rights  We want equal opportunity, without discrimination," said Mohammad Akbari, a member of the Shia Ulema. 

The participants called for the equal treatment of ethnicities in Afghanistan.

Hameed Muhsini, a member of the council, said: “ For the duration of their government, they ( Taliban ) need nation-building. As we have heard, there is disagreement within the Taliban, this caused us to be concerned. They should solve the problem.”

A group of women who took part in the gathering called for women to be part of the government. Marzia Kazimi, a women's rights activist, said: “Women must have a part in the new government.”

The Taliban previously reported they respect the rights of all minorities living in Afghanistan.