Italy, UNESCO Launch Emergency Restoration of Mazar-e-Sharif Shrine

DID Press: Italy, in partnership with UNESCO, has launched an emergency conservation and stabilization project for the historic Shrine of Hazrat Ali following structural damage caused by last year’s 6.3-magnitude earthquake.

According to the Italian Embassy, the project aims to safeguard one of Afghanistan’s most important cultural heritage sites while also creating employment opportunities for local communities.

The Blue Mosque, dating back to the Timurid period, is among Afghanistan’s most significant religious and historical landmarks. Parts of the structure were damaged after the 6.3-magnitude earthquake last year, raising concerns over the monument’s long-term preservation.

In a joint statement, UNESCO and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Afghan people and protecting the country’s cultural heritage. The project includes emergency structural stabilization followed by restoration work to preserve the monument for future generations.