RASC News Agency: Local sources from Ghor Province in western Afghanistan report that recent floods in the province have endangered historical sites, particularly Minaret of Jam, and so far, the Taliban have taken no action regarding this matter. A local source in Ghor Province, speaking on condition of anonymity to RASC News Agency on Monday, May 13th, stated that the areas surrounding Minaret Jam in this province have suffered extensive damage, and Taliban authorities have yet to take any measures in this regard.
The source mentioned that if Taliban authorities and international bodies, especially UNESCO, do not pay attention to preserving and preventing future risks to Minaret of Jam and other ancient sites in this province, the possibility of these historical sites collapsing exists. However, Mohammad Jumah, a resident of Ghor Province, told RASC that “the Taliban have not taken any necessary actions to prevent damage to Minaret of Jam in this province.”
He expressed that the decorations on the structure of Minaret of Jam are crumbling every day, and the Taliban’s attention is merely that of a bystander. According to him, over the past two years, Taliban officials have not paid any attention to the construction or restoration of this historical building and have left the ancient artifacts to their fate. Furthermore, Mohibullah Raoufi, a civil activist in Ghor Province, told RASC that the Taliban’s view of historical sites is merely a matter that holds no relevance for this group.
He added that if the Taliban were to focus on protecting and repairing Minaret Jam in Ghor Province, this historical structure would not face the threat of destruction, and its restoration process would also accelerate. He stated that as long as the Taliban remain dominant in Afghanistan, this situation persists, and these neglects continue in various sectors. Raoufi emphasized that the funds acquired by the Taliban from development projects in western Afghanistan, especially Ghor Province, are spent on initiatives far from the reconstruction and preservation of historical sites.
He added that currently, apart from the issues with historical buildings in Ghor Province, there are dozens and hundreds of unfinished projects in this province that have been neglected by the Taliban. On the other hand, Aref Qasimi, a cultural figure from Ghor Province, confirmed that the repair and reconstruction of historical buildings in western Afghanistan require attention and efforts from local authorities or international organizations.
He stated that unless the Taliban engage with various organizations, especially UNESCO, to discuss the issues concerning Minaret Jam in Ghor Province and other historical sites, no action will be taken to rebuild and repair Minaret of Jam. According to him, the deteriorating situation of historical sites will worsen, and people’s concerns will multiply.
Local authorities of the Taliban in Ghor Province have assured that they have taken all necessary preparations to prevent dangers to Minaret of Jam in this province.
It is worth mentioning that Minaret Jam in Ghor Province in western Afghanistan, with a height of 65 meters, has a history of more than eight hundred years. This brick minaret was constructed during the reign of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Ghori and is located in the Shahrak district of Ghor Province.
