Restoration of Holy Shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif Begins at Cost of 40 Million Afghanis
Major restoration work has begun on the Holy Shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, at a cost of 40 million Afghanis. The project is starting after recent earthquakes damaged parts of this historic and religious site.
Mawlawi Mohammadullah Zarar, director of information and culture in Balkh province, said the project is being implemented on the instructions of Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting interior minister of the Taliban administration, with the attention of Balkh governor Mohammad Yousuf Wafa and financial support from Barakatzi Group chief Mubariz Barakatzi.
According to Zarar, since returning to power the Taliban administration has paid attention to historical, cultural and religious sites in different parts of the country and has made the protection and restoration of historical monuments a priority. He also said the restoration of the tomb of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi and the Khwaja Parsa Mosque is also continuing in Balkh province.
Mawlawi Mohammad Abid, a representative of Barakatzi Group, said the restoration of the Holy Shrine will be carried out to a standard and on a fundamental basis. Noorulhadi Abu Idris, deputy governor of Balkh, also described the site as one of Balkh’s important historical, cultural and religious centers.
The Holy Shrine is considered one of the best-known historical and religious sites in Mazar-i-Sharif and receives a large number of pilgrims and visitors every year. Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, is located in northern Afghanistan.
