Residents of Ghor province speak with growing frustration about the neglect surrounding the historic Minaret of Jam. As winter approaches and rainfall increases, they fear the minaret now faces a greater risk of collapse than at any time before. They point out that although authorities have spent large sums over the years under the banner of restoration, no meaningful action has protected this monument from the danger of falling apart.
In interviews with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, some residents have called for the construction of a strong and standard protective wall that would be more durable than the existing structures. They warn that continued neglect could lead to the destruction of the Minaret of Jam.
The residents insist that responsible institutions must act quickly and decisively to protect this historical heritage. They believe the minaret urgently needs proper protective walls, reinforced foundations, and wide-ranging scientific studies to measure erosion and assess its structural stability.
Ahmad Fahim, a resident of Ghor province, openly criticizes the Taliban and cultural institutions, particularly UNESCO, for ignoring this historic structure. He says floods and heavy rainfall have already damaged parts of the minaret and left them in need of immediate repair. He adds that winter will only worsen the damage as precipitation increases.
Fahim says, “The Minaret of Jam in Ghor reflects one of the brightest periods in the country’s history, yet in recent years this priceless monument has stood on the edge of collapse. Although the world recognizes it as the first brick minaret and it is registered on UNESCO’s heritage list, it has not received the attention it deserves. Each winter, with heavier rainfall, the risk grows. We ask UNESCO and cultural institutions around the world to protect this monument so this remarkable historical legacy of Afghanistan can survive.”
Another resident, Karimdad, describes the current condition of the Minaret of Jam as deeply alarming. He explains that years of erosion and structural damage have left the building extremely fragile.
Karimdad says, “If the government and responsible institutions fail to act immediately and seriously, the collapse of this minaret will become inevitable. This structure is more than a monument; it represents the civilization and culture of the people of Ghor. Ignoring it would cause an irreparable loss. If this neglect continues, the 900-year-old legacy of Ghorid history will crumble before our eyes.”
Qadir Najibi, another resident of Ghor, says the Minaret of Jam holds too much value for Afghanistan to be forgotten. He urges authorities to take serious action before winter arrives to prevent further damage.
Najibi adds, “Sadly, recent neglect has already pushed this monument toward decay. No one should forget a structure that carries such deep historical, cultural, and civilizational meaning. Its importance goes beyond Ghor and belongs to Afghanistan and the entire region. Institutions, especially the Ministry of Information and Culture and those responsible for protecting historical sites, must act now to prevent the collapse of the minaret during the rainy season.”
At the same time, cultural experts emphasize the need for a specialized technical team to restore and protect the monument. They say engineers, designers, and scientists from Afghanistan should work closely with UNESCO on this effort.
Cultural expert Ketab Khan Faizi explains, “The Minaret of Jam is among the tallest in the world, and Italian engineers have restored it several times. UNESCO funded those efforts. Over the past two or three years, experts built a retaining wall under the supervision of Afghan archaeologists to protect the minaret. The wall stands 15 meters high and helps control the flow of the Harirud River and other waters. However, poor management of financial resources has led to the waste of a large portion of these funds.”
Earlier, Indrika Ratwatte, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, warned during a visit to the Minaret of Jam that failure to take urgent measures would increase the risk of collapse. She urged the international community to provide the resources and support needed to protect this cultural site.
Recent floods have destroyed parts of the retaining walls and eroded much of the surrounding land. In response, the United Nations installed monitoring equipment inside the tower to measure its balance and structural strength.
Built in the late twelfth century AD, the Minaret of Jam stands as a masterpiece of Ghorid-era architecture. Craftsmen built it from brick and decorated it with Quranic inscriptions. UNESCO added the minaret to its World Heritage List in 2002.
Rising 64 meters into the sky, the Minaret of Jam is the tallest brick minaret in the world after the Qutb Minar in Delhi. Builders constructed it during the reign of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Ghori, between 558 and 599 Hijri, making it the oldest brick minaret still standing.
UNESCO documents identify the architect as a man named Ali, whose name appears twice on the minaret. The base also bears the name of King Ghiyath al-Din Ghori. The octagonal foundation measures nine meters in diameter, while the height ranges between 62 and 64 meters. The base rises about two meters above ground level and includes a small entrance leading inside.
The Minaret of Jam represents not only the history and culture of Afghanistan but also one of the most striking symbols of Islamic architecture in the world.
This historic monument from the Ghorid era stands in the village of Jam, about seventy kilometers from Firozkoh, the capital of Ghor province. It rises along the Harirud River, surrounded by towering mountains that frame its fragile beauty.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
