Afghanistan’s historic shrine on verge of destruction
Cultural activists urge urgent restoration as centuries-old monument deteriorates
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — The centuries-old shrine of Khwaja Ali Jowzjani, a revered mystic in northern Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Pul province, is facing imminent collapse due to years of neglect and lack of preservation efforts.
The deteriorating structure has raised alarm among cultural activists and historians, who warn that without urgent restoration, an important part of Afghanistan’s heritage could be lost forever.
TOLOnews reports that the shrine, in Sar-e-Pul’s old bazaar, is among many historic sites at risk due to conflict and lack of funding.
Sar-e-Pul province is home to more than 200 registered historical monuments, but only 44 have been officially documented by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Many of these sites remain in critical condition, with little funding or attention given to their preservation.
Activists stress that historical monuments play a crucial role in maintaining national identity and must be protected before they disappear.
“Historical monuments and buildings are a nation’s identity, and comprehensive efforts must be made to restore and preserve them,” said Sayed Hesamuddin Bashardost, a cultural activist advocating for urgent intervention, while speaking to TOLOnews.
Another activist, Mohammad Hossein Baloch, echoed these concerns, calling on authorities to take immediate action.
“Our demand from the Islamic Emirate is that historical monuments must be preserved, and no efforts should be made to destroy them,” he said.
Despite growing concerns, local officials say restoration plans are in motion.
Abdul Ghaffar Haqnama, head of the Sar-e-Pul Directorate of Information and Culture, confirmed that the ministry has prioritized the restoration of three key historical sites in the province, including the Jowzjani shrine, the Imam Jafar shrine, and the Khesht Bridge.
“The ministry has sent us an official document for their restoration, and they are now awaiting budget approval,” Haqnama explained to TOLOnews.
As activists continue to push for greater restoration efforts, the fate of the Khwaja Ali Jowzjani shrine and other historic sites in Afghanistan hangs in the balance, with time running out to save them from irreversible decay.
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