Taliban Official Meets OIC Deputy on Protecting Afghanistan’s Cultural Heritage
The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture announced that Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi, Deputy Minister for Culture and Arts of the ministry, met with Khalil Ibrahim Okour, Deputy for Humanitarian Affairs at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to the ministry, the main topics of discussion were the protection of Afghanistan’s historical artifacts, 3D digital registration, and modernization of cultural institutions.
During the meeting, Azizi highlighted the historical and cultural values of Afghanistan, stating that the country shares extensive historical and religious commonalities with the Islamic world. He added that Afghanistan’s historical artifacts, monuments, archaeological sites, manuscripts, and other cultural heritages underscore the shared cultural responsibility of Islamic countries to protect them.
The Taliban’s Deputy Minister for Culture and Arts requested support from the OIC to strengthen and modernize public libraries, the national archives, the national museum, and arts directorates. This request comes amid challenges many cultural institutions in the country have faced in recent years due to limited resources and specialized capacities.
In response, the OIC deputy appreciated the cultural activities of the Ministry of Information and Culture and stated that through joint cooperation, practical steps will be taken to protect, restore, digitally register, and globally promote Afghanistan’s historical artifacts. He also assured that opportunities will be provided for Afghan specialists to participate in educational and scientific programs abroad to enhance their skills and expertise.
According to the official, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation aims to further expand Afghanistan’s cultural relations with Islamic countries and international institutions and to implement joint practical programs for the preservation of the country’s historical and cultural heritage.
