Local sources in Ghor province are reporting that devastating floods pose a risk of collapse to the Minaret of Jam. They indicate that the destructive floods have engulfed the minaret, submerging this historical monument in water. Cultural figures and residents of Ghor are expressing serious concern about the potential collapse of the Minaret of Jam and are urging UNESCO to take immediate action to preserve this world’s cultural heritage site.
According to local sources in Ghor, the severe flooding in the Jam Valley has significantly increased the risk of the Minaret of Jam collapsing, threatening one of the world’s cultural treasures. They argue that the Taliban and organizations tasked with safeguarding historical monuments must prevent the collapse of this ancient human heritage.
Additionally, some residents of Ghor accuse the Taliban of indifference and discriminatory behavior towards historical monuments. They claim that the group has not assisted the flood victims struggling between life and death, and it seems unlikely that they will be concerned with protecting the Minaret of Jam.
Abdulhai (pseudonym), a resident of Ghor, says that severe flooding in Shahrak District has surged into the area of the Minaret of Jam, putting this historical monument, which is intertwined with the identity of Afghanistan and the people of Ghor, at risk of collapse. This resident of Shahrak District adds, “Severe floods have surged into the Jam Valley area, surrounding the Minaret of Jam from all sides. Never before has such a flood occurred in the Jam Valley area. Now the minaret is in the middle of the flood, with the risk of collapse at any moment.” Abdulhai emphasizes, “The Minaret of Jam had been damaged in previous years and winters had also harmed it. However, these floods have struck all the mud, silt, and stones against the walls and foundations of the minaret, even causing the bricks to become damp. If no action is taken, this historical monument will be destroyed.”
Moreover, the residents of Ghor say that the Taliban and the organizations working in the field of historical monument protection have not taken practical steps to protect this historical monument, and the risk of the Minaret of Jam collapsing is high.
Ramazan (pseudonym), expressing concern about the potential collapse of the Minaret of Jam, emphasizes that this historical monument represents the identity of Ghor and Afghanistan, and urgent and comprehensive actions must be taken to protect it. He states, “The Minaret of Jam is the identity of the people of Ghor, and this historical monument has given identity to Ghor and even Afghanistan. The Taliban and organizations working to protect cultural heritage must take immediate action to safeguard our identity.”
Hafizullah (pseudonym) accuses the Taliban of negligence towards citizens and historical heritage. He says that the group has no plans to protect the Minaret of Jam and, like ordinary citizens, is merely watching the potential collapse of this historical and cultural monument. This resident of Ghor states, “It has been two days since the floods displaced people, but the Taliban have done nothing to protect and support the people. I believe this group is neither interested in protecting historical monuments nor taking steps to prevent the collapse of the Minaret of Jam.”
Meanwhile, some cultural figures in Ghor believe that the collapse of the Minaret of Jam, a historical and architectural treasure that has given identity to Afghanistan and especially the province of Ghor, will also diminish the province’s appeal to tourists.
Musa (pseudonym), one of the cultural figures in this province, says the Taliban must take immediate action to protect the Minaret of Jam. According to him, the Minaret of Jam has given identity and value to Afghanistan and Islamic civilization. He adds, “Foreign tourists from the United States, Europe, and Central Asia have come to Firozkoh City and traveled to Jam to see this minaret. Therefore, it must be understood that tourists travel to Ghor to see the Minaret of Jam. We demand that the minaret be protected in coordination with the people.”
Nabi Saaqi, a researcher at Oxford University in London and a cultural figure from the province of Ghor, wrote on his Facebook page that he has no hope for the survival of the Minaret of Jam. He wrote, “I have no hope for the survival of the Minaret of Jam. When floods continuously hit the minaret for two or three days and it is surrounded by water, its survival is highly unlikely.” According to Mr. Saaqi, for years, this minaret has been shaking before the eyes of the government of Afghanistan, the international community, and UNESCO, but no one cares. He added, “When writing books, identifying identities, and boasting, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Turks, and Tajiks all cling to Ghor’s civilization in poetry, but in practice, no one remembers this civilization.”
The Minaret of Jam, which is at risk of collapse, is one of the greatest treasures of Islamic architecture and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This minaret, which is 64 meters tall, is considered a masterpiece of Ghurid civilization and was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002.
The Minaret of Jam was built during the reign of Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad (c. 1140–1203), one of the greatest kings of the Ghurid dynasty.
Meanwhile, the floods of the past two days in Ghor province have caused extensive financial damage and claimed the lives of more than 50 people.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
