Former jihadi leader and head of the Council for Protection and Stability in Afghanistan, Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, said the political rift between the Presidential Palace and Atta Mohammad Noor, the ousted Balkh governor, is against the national interests and will have negative repercussions.

Sayyaf made the remarks at a scientific ceremony in Kabul on Friday. Political figures, university lecturers and analysts had attended the event.

He pointed out to the tension between Presidential Palace and Atta Mohammad Noor, who is the CEO of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan, saying that the situation will deteriorate if the political rift is not ended.

“It is the time to ignore minor issues, understand each other, extend the hand of brotherhood and take the country out of this ill situation,” he said.

Sayyaf called on politicians to put aside their disagreements and work together for the welfare of the nation.

“It is not the time for the rift, it is not the time for the disagreements; it is the time to come together take the country out of crisis.”

Sayyaf meanwhile condemned Daesh attack on Tabyan Cultural Center in Kabul and said the insurgents were trying to show a grim picture of Islam to the world.

“What happened yesterday (Thursday) is not only a crime, but is a type of panic, madness and an inhuman act. Unfortunately, some groups have been created to damage the image of Islam and humanity,” Sayyaf added. “Between 10,000 to 15,000 families are mourning for those who were killed and wounded on Thursday suicide attack.”

He said civilian casualties in militants’ attacks are shocking and that it should be stopped.

The speakers of the ceremony meanwhile talked on issues around modernism, intellectuality and traditions.

“You do not accept the creation of a pen without its creator, then how do you accept a human without someone who has created him? You do not accept the creation of a needle without a factory, then how you say that there is no one behind the creation of the sky and the universe,” Sayyaf said.