Sheikh Khalilullah Wali’s historic site on verge of collapse

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): A number of residents of Warsaj district in northern Takhar province have expressed their concern about lack of attention to 480 years old Sheikh Khalilullah Wali shrine which is on the verge of collapse.

Maulvi Sayed Waris, an elder of the area, said that Sheikh Khalilullah was a Sufi saint who settled in the area, and built a mosque and 12 houses in which people worshiped about 480 years ago.

He added that the historical site was currently on the brink of destruction.

According to him, the past governments had promised many times to reconstruct the historical place, but no attention was paid to it.

He urged the current government to pay serious attention to preservation of the historic place.

He added that parts of the historical place had been restored by the youth and local people. but it needed attention from the government.

Seyyed Hekmatullah, another resident of the area, said:”It is narrated from our ancestors that Sheikh Waliullah arrived from Saudi Arabia in his time and settled in this part of Warsaj district, after which he started building mosques and places dedicated to the worship of God, and he died and buried in this area.”

Meanwhile, Maulvi Zabihullah Ansari, director of information and culture, told Pajhwok during a trip to remote districts of Takhar province that some historical places usurped by local people had been retaken.

He said that efforts were being made by the government to restore all historical places in the province.

Hz/sa/ma