FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Following a series of reports by Pajhwok Afghan News highlighting concerns among Ghor residents over the deterioration of the historic Jam Minaret, local sources say a joint team from the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has travelled to the western province to begin restoration work on the historic monument.
A video obtained by Pajhwok in 2019 showed floodwaters damaging the Jam Minaret. In addition, Ghor residents voiced concerns in 2023 and 2024 about the continued deterioration of the monument and called for restoration work to begin as soon as possible.
The provincial Department of Information and Culture said a joint team from the MoIC and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture had travelled to the province to begin restoration of the minaret’s structure and visited the site today (Wednesday).
Amanullah Sahibzada, provincial coordination officer for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, said during the visit that, in coordination with the MoIC and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), restoration of the Jam Minaret’s structure would begin under the supervision of engineering teams from the trust and the ministry.
He said the first phase would involve practical restoration work on the minaret’s structure to ensure the rehabilitation and conservation process was carried out professionally and systematically.
Meanwhile, Mawlavi Abdul Hai Zaeem, director of information and culture in Ghor, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Information and Culture, UNESCO and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to preserve and restore the province’s historical and archaeological sites.
He assured that the Ghor local administration, particularly the Department of Information and Culture, would cooperate fully with the visiting teams throughout all stages of the assessment, protection and restoration process and provide the necessary facilities and support for their work.
According to the provincial Department of Information and Culture, the 63-metre-high Jam Minaret is the world’s second-tallest brick minaret after the Qutb Minar in Delhi, India, and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Ghurid architecture. Built between 572 and 581 AH, the monument has sustained damage in recent years due to floods and other natural disasters and is in need of comprehensive restoration and protection.
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