Uzbekistan may cooperate with Afghanistan to preserve and restore historical and cultural monuments associated with Uzbek scholars and thinkers following a visit by an Uzbek delegation to assess heritage sites in four Afghan regions.
The delegation, led by Azizjan Arifjanov, deputy director of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage Agency, visited Balkh, Takhar, Sar-e-Pol (also spelled Sari-Pul) and Faryab to assess the condition of historical sites and discuss their preservation and restoration with Afghan counterparts, Dunyo news agency reported.
Source: “Dunyo”
The delegation visited the Rawza al-Mubarak (Blue Mosque) in Mazar-i-Sharif, the pilgrimage site of Boborahim Mashrab in the Ishkamish district of Takhar, a historic brick bridge in Sari-Pul, and the Khisht Pul and Eidgah mosques.
Other sites inspected included the Imamzade Yahya mausoleum, the Bobo Vali madrasah and the Bobo Vali reservoir. The reservoir was built through a charitable initiative by Alisher Navoi, the prominent Uzbek poet and thinker. The delegation also examined the Mir Sayyid Baraka architectural monument.
Source: “Dunyo”
During meetings with Afghan cultural representatives, the Uzbek delegation highlighted Uzbekistan’s experience in historical monument restoration and the availability of qualified specialists.
The discussions focused on potential joint projects to preserve and restore Afghanistan’s historical heritage for future generations. The parties also highlighted the historical, cultural and religious ties between the Uzbek and Afghan peoples and Uzbekistan’s contributions to Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.
Source: “Dunyo”
Following the visit, the collected information on the heritage sites is expected to be analyzed, and the parties plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on their preservation and restoration.
Earlier, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan explored the possibility of establishing a new international airline in Fergana. On September 4, Fergana Region Governor Khayrullo Bozorov met with a delegation led by Omar Mohammad Sulaimon, head of Afghan airline Kam Air. The parties discussed opportunities to establish the airline, along with infrastructure requirements and service provision.