Ghazni Named Capital of Islamic Civilisation

11 years ago | Posted in: Afghanistan, Culture/Art | 700 Views

Afghanistan’s city of Ghanzi was officially named Saturday by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) as the capital of culture and civilisation for the Muslim world in a ceremony in the central-eastern city.

Speaking at the ceremony, officials of the Morocco-based organisation said their cooperation will not end simply with the naming of the city but they will make an effort for the renovation of the archaeological sites of the province.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials of the Afghan government and foreign countries who watched groups of Afghan performers doing traditional Afghan dance of Atan, swordsmanship, and traditional music.

“We had programmes that were completed last year. There were projects that were completed this year, and there are projects that are being carried out. There are programmes that are not started yet and there should be programmes that would last for 15 to 20 years. And in general, much work will be done for Ghazni which are fortunately ongoing,” said Minister of Information and Culture Sayed Makhdoom Raheen.

Many foreign officials including representatives of the international cultural organisations stated their commitment to renovating the ancient remains of the province.

Each year, ISESCO selects from among the Muslim countries in Africa and Asia three cities as cultural capitals of the Islam world that will eventually attract many tourists.

However, in Ghazni’s case, many fear that the lack of security could hold back Afghan and international tourists to visit the city.

Ghazni provincial governor called upon the Taliban to stop war in light of the recognition Ghazni has received.

“We hope that by naming Ghazni the capital of Islamic civilisation, this will teach the armed opposition again a lesson of brotherhood and peace instead of them shedding people’s blood and make people leave. People should learn, people of Ghazni and armed opposition should learn to go towards the brotherhood and kindness that we had in Ghazni a thousand years ago,” said provincial governor Musa Khan Akbarzada.

“I hope this event has a good message for the Taliban,” he added.

Security has stepped up in the city, which carries the same name as its province.

The interior ministry officials said that a number of suspects – who planned to create problems for the Ghazni event – were caught by Afghan police.

“In cooperation with the people of the province, police forces arrested four suspects and obtained armaments and a suicide vest in Ghazni province,” said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.

“Insurgent groups of Uzbekistan’s Hezb-e-Islami, Haqqani Network, and the Taliban – backed by the ISI (Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence) – endeavor to destabilise Afghanistan. There is no doubt in this,” he added.

Islamabad has constantly rejected the frequent claims by Afghan and foreign officials that Pakistani intelligence is supporting insurgents.

www.tolonews.com

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