Reconstruction of Herat’s Great Mosque Nears Completion at 90%

Local officials in Herat say that the restoration and reconstruction work on the Great Jami Mosque of this province, which suffered severe damage in last year’s earthquake, is 90% complete.

According to them, the minarets and iwans of this mosque, which endured the most damage, have now been rebuilt.

The Great Jami Mosque of Herat is one of the masterpieces of Islamic architectural engineering, with a history spanning nearly a thousand years. It remains standing with its strong columns.

Raqibullah Rezvani, the head of historical monuments at the Herat Directorate of Information and Culture, said: “We were able to prevent the destruction of the minarets of the Great Jami Mosque. So far, the restoration work of six minarets has been completed, and only one remains, which will soon be finished. Additionally, the Maqsura castle was restored last year after the earthquake, and the restoration of the northern and southern castles is still ongoing.”

Historical monument engineers emphasize that the historical authenticity of this mosque has been fully preserved during the restoration process, and all reconstruction steps are carried out in accordance with its original architecture.

Aziz Ahmad Rasooli, the head of the Great Jami Mosque restoration project, stated: “We are not making any changes to the structure of the mosque, and all restoration work is being done using traditional methods. The tiles used in the reconstruction are the same authentic traditional tiles, with no alterations to their color or design.”

The exterior walls of the Great Jami Mosque of Herat are adorned with traditional tiles and historical inscriptions. The craftsmanship of Herat’s artisans over the centuries has enhanced the beauty of this valuable structure.

Cultural affairs expert Abdul Jalil Tawana said: “The Great Jami Mosque holds a special place in the Islamic world. All of Herat’s historical monuments, including the Great Jami Mosque, Gazargah, the Citadel, the Musalla complex, and the historical structures of Chisht district, have immense cultural and historical value. Many domestic and international tourists visit Herat to see these unique historical sites and Islamic art.”

The Gran Jami Mosque of Herat is one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, with a historical background spanning nearly a thousand years.