Atiqullah Azizi: Dozens of Antiquities Prevented from Smuggling Every Day

The restoration of the historic Babaji Mosque in Ghazni’s old city has been completed by a cultural foundation.

During the inauguration of this mosque, Deputy Minister of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Information and Culture, Atiqullah Azizi, told that certain foreign mafia networks are attempting to smuggle Afghanistan’s historical and cultural artifacts.

However, he said that the Islamic Emirate has established special security committees and units at all border areas and airports, preventing any such trafficking.

Azizi stated: “Every day, dozens of cultural artifacts are prevented from being smuggled. Some people attempt to transport and smuggle these artifacts, but they do not have the capacity to carry it out. There are mafia circles that are supported from abroad.”

According to him, some organizations and institutions that previously cooperated in cultural affairs have recently halted their activities by linking them to politics, leaving several reconstruction projects incomplete.

Azizi added: “Some organizations, foundations, and countries that once cooperated in the cultural sector, raising slogans about protecting culture, heritage, and monuments while claiming to remain apolitical, have unfortunately now abandoned some projects for political reasons.”

According to officials, the Babaji Mosque was restored at a cost of 150,000 USD. Considering its historical value, the work was completed in its traditional style over more than a year.

Fazal Karim Ahmadi, head of construction affairs at the Aga Khan Cultural Foundation, also said: “Around 150,000 dollars were spent on the restoration of this mosque. Everything that is required in a historical monument was taken into consideration. We first carried out research and then began the practical work.”

A resident of Ghazni, Agha Mohammad Khoshi Zada, said: “We call on the Ministry of Information and Culture to play a larger role in restoring historical monuments and pay more attention, because historical heritage represents the identity of the nation.”

Another resident of Ghazni, Zabihullah, said: “We are very pleased that this mosque has been restored. We have many historical monuments here that are under threat of destruction and must be preserved.”

According to local officials in Ghazni, the Babaji Mosque is the first mosque in Ghazni province, built in the old city more than 1,400 years ago.