UN Urges Immediate Action to Save Historic Minaret of Jam
The United Nations has called for urgent international support to save the historic Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan’s Ghor province, expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the 12th-century structure.
In a video released on Wednesday, November 4, UN humanitarian coordinator Indrika Ratwatte called on the global community to support UNESCO in preserving the cultural monument. He stressed that without adequate resources and international attention, the risk of the minaret collapsing is increasing.
Ratwatte, who visited the site in Ghor, said last year’s floods caused soil erosion and damaged the minaret’s foundations. “Previous efforts have not been sufficient, and there is a need for sustainable and fundamental measures,” he added.
He noted that the minaret requires protective walls, structural support systems, and further scientific research. “This minaret is not only a part of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage, but also belongs to Islamic civilization, and it urgently requires attention,” Ratwatte said.
While UNESCO has installed technical equipment inside the structure to monitor its stability, Ratwatte emphasized that more serious actions are necessary to prevent its collapse. The Minaret of Jam, built from baked bricks and decorated with Quranic inscriptions, is a key architectural remnant from the Ghurid dynasty of the 12th century.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, the minaret has faced recurring threats of destruction over the last two decades due to widespread neglect. The Taliban administration has not played an effective role in protecting the monument and has restricted international organizations, delaying and complicating restoration efforts.
