Turkey to renovate tomb of Balkhi’s father in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The Information and Culture Department in northern Balkh province says the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is set to renovate the tomb of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi’s father in the province.

Mohammadullah Zarar, director of the Information and Culture Department of Balkh, met with Mikail Tashdemir, TIKA head in the northern zone, according to a statement from the department.

During the meeting, Mohammadullah Zarar expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to renovate the mausoleum of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi’s father.

He noted that Maulana was a prominent mystic, scholar, and poet in the region, and that officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) were fully focused on the reconstruction of the tomb from the outset.

Zarar also emphasized that the IEA was committed to preserving and renovating historical monuments and making efforts to ensure their safety.

The director assured Tashdemir that he was ready to cooperate in all matters related to the renovation of the tomb.

Meanwhile, Mikail Tashdemir stated that Balkhi was a renowned intellectual and mystical figure both regionally and globally.

He added that Turkey had been trying for several years to renovate the tomb of this great mystic’s father but had been unable to start due to challenges in the previous administration.

Tashdemir added that, under the IEA’s governance and with the cooperation of its officials, the renovation work will begin in the coming days.

He explained that the first phase of the renovation will involve constructing the four walls of the tomb, with a focus on landscaping, the creation of a main gate, and the construction of a public road leading to the site.

He noted that after these initial steps, the renovation work will proceed in a more comprehensive and standardized manner.

It is worth mentioning that the mausoleum of Balkhi’s father is located in the Balkh district of Balkh province, approximately 20 kilometers west of Mazar-i-Sharif city.

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