GHOR, Afghanistan – Restoration work on the historic Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan’s western Ghor province is set to begin through a project led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in cooperation with UNESCO, local officials said.
The announcement was made following a meeting between a delegation from Kabul and Abdul Hai Zaeem, Director of Information and Culture for Ghor Province, to discuss the implementation of the restoration project.
Amanullah Sahebzada, the provincial coordinator of the Aga Khan Cultural Foundation, said the project will be carried out under the supervision of specialized engineers and technical experts. He noted that the first phase will focus on stabilizing and restoring the structure of the minaret to prevent further deterioration.
The Minaret of Jam, located in a remote valley of Ghor Province, is regarded as the world’s second-tallest brick minaret, standing approximately 65 meters (213 feet) high. Built in the late 12th century during the Ghurid dynasty, it is recognized as one of Afghanistan’s most significant cultural landmarks.
The monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002 and has also been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats from flooding, erosion, earthquakes, and limited conservation efforts. In recent years, natural disasters have caused additional damage to the structure, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive restoration.
