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TİKA begins work on green space at Herat Grand Mosque
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Herat announced on Friday the launch of a project to build a green space at the Herat Grand Mosque, which is expected to be completed within three months.
The eastern section of the historic Herat Grand Mosque was demolished around five years ago with the aim of reconstructing it in a modern and standard manner. However, the area remained in ruins. Now, TİKA has pledged to rebuild this space with a contemporary design.
The park area of the historic Grand Mosque spans over 9,000 square meters.
At the project’s inauguration ceremony, the Turkish Ambassador Cenk Ünal to Kabul stated that TİKA’s reconstruction programs and projects continue across various provinces of Afghanistan, but their impact is especially visible in Herat.
He added: “TİKA serves as a bridge between the Turkish government and people with Afghanistan. It has always stood by the Afghan people. For us, it is a historical responsibility to bring the spirit of Turkish friendship and support to our Afghan brothers, and to stand with them through both good times and difficult ones.”
Arafat Deniz, TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, said: “Just like we completed the mosque’s ablution facility last year, this year the mosque park project was on our list. The project is scheduled to begin today.”
For years, the mosque grounds have been used as a parking area for vehicles. However, TİKA assures that by the end of this year, the space will be transformed, and the historic Grand Mosque Park will be restored.
In addition to the green space, essential work is also planned on lighting, construction of a sewage system, stone paving, and tiling, so that the renovated area aligns with the current state of the Herat Grand Mosque.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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