Historical Herat mosque being renovated

HERAT CITY (PAN, will be renovated with donations from Afghan traders, an official said on Friday  

A number of traders have promised funds for the renovation of the main mosque in the provincial capital, deputy chief of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Toryalai Ghausi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

“The Herat mosque is a historical place whose preservation is a collective responsibility of all residents; now businessmen intend to renovate it,” said the deputy chief of the renovation committee, Wali Shah Bahra, a former information director.

He said traders and industrialists were included in the body. However, he stopped short of naming the committee members. The donations, duly registered by the committee, are sent to a bank account and spent transparently.

Historians say the mosque was built in the 12^th or 13^th century during the reign of Ghoris. Before the advent of Islam, Zoroastrians had a worship place at the site.

The Herat Industrialists Union deputy head, Farid Ahmed Maulvizada, said around three hundred industrialists were willing to fund the renovation work.

Haibatullah, prayer leader and preacher, said the mosque needed a new roof and glasswork in the first step of renovation.

Deputy Governor Asiluddin acknowledged much of the mosque had crumbled and needed reconstruction had ignored a string of requests from him for rebuilding it.

“I’m proud that my donation has been accepted,” remarked businesswoman Najiba Sadat, who said another 50 of her colleagues were ready to help with reconstructing the mosque.

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