40% of Herat’s historical sites in need of repairs: IEA

Around 40 percent of historical sites and monuments in western Herat province need to be restored to prevent further damage, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials said on Saturday.

There are as many as 780 historical monuments in Herat, including the famous Citadel, the Musalla complex, the Mausoleum of Gawhar Shad, and the Herat Great Mosque.

“40 percent of our historical monuments are in urgent need of restoration and preservation. But, so far, unfortunately, the country’s economy is not stable. I hope the issues will be considered once the issues of governance are resolved,” Zalmay Safa, a Director for Herat’s Information and Culture Department said.

According to the officials, as many as 46 monuments have been restored or preserved during the past five years.

Meanwhile, government officials stated that they will put plans in place to protect the historical sites and monuments in the country.

Mawlana Naeem-ul-Haq Haqqani, Acting Head of Herat’s Information and Culture Department, stated: “Definitely, work will begin soon. The Islamic Emirate pays special attention to the preservation and restoration of historical monuments, especially in Herat.”