Following announcements by the Taliban that the group would be continuing its insurgent operations during the month of Ramadan, a number of Afghan clerics came out on Wednesday, the first day of the Muslim holy month, and renounced such violence as un-Islamic.

"Any action that harms others is forbidden in Islam. Suicide attacks and blasts are un-Islamic, not only during the Ramadan month but on other days as well. We have made this clear several times," cleric Maulawi Abdul Hadi Hadayat told TOLOnews.

Clerics urged the armed rebel groups to renounce violence, especially suicide attacks, for the sake of Islam.

Meanwhile, Kabul residents also urged the armed opposition groups to stop launching attacks and put down their weapons during Ramadan.

"Ramadan is a month for peace, friendship and blessing. The war should be stopped in this month," said Ahmad Khalid Sakhizada, a Kabul resident who spoke with TOLOnews.

"Let people spend the Ramadan days in peace and happiness. Our people are tired of war, violence and blood-shed," another Kabul resident who asked not to be named said to TOLOnews.

Mosque orator, Sayeed Salahuddin Hashimi, also emphasised that there should be no violence during the Ramadan month.

"Ramadan is not a month of cruelty or committing any other sin. Nobody should be left to mourn over any loss. The religious orders should be adhered to at any cost," said Hashimi.

The comments from the clerics came after the Taliban rejected appeals made by President Karzai and the United Nations (UN), urging them to renounce violence during Ramadan.

The Taliban vowed to intensify its attacks, claiming that, "[the] reward of fighting is much higher in the holy month."

Attacks launched by the insurgent group have intensified in recent months, marking what many have said to be the worst fighting season in the past few years. Last month, the Taliban claimed credit for three high-profile suicide bombing attacks in Kabul that resulted in civilian and security personnel casualties – one outside the Supreme Court, one at the Kabul International Airport, and another at the Presidential Palace.