Promises to preserve Jam Minaret not kept: MoIC

KABUL (Pajhwok): The retaining and decoration structures of the Jam Minaret have sustained damages due to natural disasters and people’s meddling, the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) alleged on Monday.

Built in 12^th century, the 65 metres high Jam Minaret is located in Jam village 62 -- kilometres from the capital of western Ghor province.

This minaret was included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 2002. The mineral was to be strengthened to survive natural disasters. It is the second tallest mud structure after the Qutb Minar in New Delhi.

A statement from MoIC said a technical and cultural delegation, headed by the deputy minister for cultural affairs, recently travelled to Ghor province.

In additional to visiting other cultural sites of the province, the delegation also inspected the Jam minaret.

The deputy minister said: “The previous governments had many resources, raising slogans of saving ancient monuments. But unfortunately, I would say that such sites and monuments were damaged at their hands.”

The minaret is in worrying condition, with its decoration and retaining structures significantly harmed by natural disasters, floods, misuse of resources and public activities, he deplored.

Without providing details, Azizi said the international organisations and domestic bodies had promised a lot but never demonstrated their seriousness in preserving the minaret.

Saving the Jam minaret has been a priority for MoIC to, which has taken a firm decision to work together with international cultural organisations to preserve the minaret.

aw/mud