Ghazni’s Begum Minaret on the verge of collapse

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): A number of residents and culturists in southern Ghazni province are concerned about the looming collapse of the historical Begum Minaret.
Located in the Khosh Abdal area of Qiyaq valley in Jaghato district, the minaret has a history of 1,000 years.
Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Saraab area, told Pajhwok Afghan News the minaret dated to the Islamic era.
Constructed 1,000 years ago during the Ghaznavid Empire, the spire was considered one of the important and rare pieces of architecture, he added.
The structure, however, has been badly affected by natural disasters and previous wars. In case of continued neglect, it could be destroyed, the resident warned.
Every historic monument is a glorious chapter of history, according to Yasin, who underlined the imperative of preserving such rich sites.
Culturists hail Ghazni as an important province that is home to many holy and historical sites, some of which have been on the brink of destruction over the past several years. They view negligence from the government as unacceptable.
Zia Rawan, a poet and writer, told Pajhwok hundreds of other ancient monuments in the province also needed urgent restoration.
He is worried if the authorities did not pay attention to their protection. the sites would either disappear or get damaged beyond repair.
Ghazni was announced as the Capital of Islamic civilisation during the previous government. Huge funds were subsequently allocated for the repairs of ancient sites.
Unfortunately, he alleged, the budget was embezzled or spent on unnecessary things.
Ghazni Museum Director Agha Mohammad Khusha Zada recalled that funds had been earmarked for the restoration of the Begum steeple in 2020, but the project was delayed due to the 2021 political change in the country.
He said: “In addition to the Begum Minaret, there are 10 more historical and cultural monuments that risk destruction. We have already shared the issue with the Ministry of Information and Culture.”
Two more monuments — the Mohammad Sharif Khan memorial and the Khwaja Malikyar Parinda shrine — were harmed by a recent earthquake and need be repaired as soon as possible.
In 2013, Ghazni City was declared the capital of Islamic civilisation and some of notable monuments were repaired. Several others, however, remain in a state of decay.