Taliban change tune towards heritage sites in Afghanistan
In March 2001, the Taliban shocked the world by dynamiting the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan. Two decades later, they are back in power and claim to be making strides to preserve Afghanistan's millennia-old heritage, including pre-Islamic relics.
Even months before their takeover in 2021 the Taliban called for the protection of ancient artefacts in the country, sparking scepticism among observers. They are 'part of our country's history, identity and rich culture', the authorities declared.
Since their return to power and decades of war ended, archaeological finds — particularly related to Buddhism — have proliferated, with discoveries publicised by the authorities.
In eastern Laghman province, niches carved into rocks in Gowarjan village and carved Brahmi inscriptions have been found. 'It is said that Afghan history goes back 5,000 years — these ancient sites prove it; people lived here,' said Mohammed Yaqoub Ayoubi, head of the provincial culture and tourism department.
'I think the Taliban have understood how much the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas damaged their reputation,' said Valery Freland, director of the ALIPH foundation, the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Reza Shah, Son Of Iran's Last Shah, Asks Ayatollah Khamenei To "Step Down" After US Attack
Tehran: Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah, claimed on Sunday that US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities were a result of "catastrophic pursuit of nuclear weapons" by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's "terrorist regime." Pehalvi urged Khamenei to "respond" to American attacks by "stepping down" from his position for the sake of the Iranian people. Until recently, Pahlavi was a figure with little to no say in Iranian affairs. However, he has now become a regular on TV and is calling for a regime change in Iran. "The strikes on the Islamic Republic's three nuclear sites are the result of the regime's catastrophic pursuit of nuclear weapons at the expense of the Iranian people," he wrote in a post on X. The strikes on the Islamic Republic's three nuclear sites are the result of the regime's catastrophic pursuit of nuclear weapons at the expense of the Iranian people. Ali Khamenei and his crumbling terrorist regime have failed the nation. As Khamenei considers how to respond… — Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) June 22, 2025 "Ali Khamenei and his crumbling terrorist regime have failed the nation. As Khamenei considers how to respond from his underground bunker, I say to him: For the sake of the Iranian people, respond by stepping down, so the proud Iranian nation can leave the disastrous period of the Islamic Republic behind and start a new chapter of peace, prosperity and greatness," Pahlavi added. He further said that the only sure way to achieve peace in Iran is for Khamenei's regime to end. Still considered the Crown Prince of Iran in exile, despite the fall of the monarchy in 1979 after the Islamic revolution, Reza Pahlavi is an old and familiar voice calling for regime change in Iran. Under the Shah regime's leadership, Iran was considered a vibrant nation - a constitutional monarchy with democratic values. US Attacks In Iran US President Donald Trump said the US military carried out strikes on Sunday on three Iranian nuclear sites and that Tehran "must now agree to end this war", following days of speculation over whether the United States would join its ally Israel's bombing campaign. Trump said the US military carried out a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo. "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site," Fordo, he said, adding the planes were safely out of Iranian airspace and on the way home. Iranian media said the Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were hit.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Pakistan Condemns US Strikes On Iran Days After Asim Munir Backs Trump For Nobel Peace Prize
Last Updated: Days after nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, Pakistan condemned the US strikes on the nuclear sites of its close ally, Iran, saying they violated international law. Pakistan condemned the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on Sunday, saying they violated all international norms and affirmed Iran's right of self-defence. This statement came days after Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir recommended US President Donald Trump's name for the Nobel Peace Prize. 'Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel. We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region," said Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in an official statement. Pakistan said the unprecedented escalation of tensions in West Asia was 'deeply disturbing" and any further escalation will have seriously damaging implications for the region and beyond. — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2025 'We emphasise the imperative need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to end. All parties must adhere to international law, particularly International Humanitarian Law. Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only pathway to resolve the crises in the region," he added. Iran and Pakistan are close allies as both countries share a border, Islamic heritage and historic trade routes. Like Iran, Pakistan is an outspoken critic of Israel and opposes Israeli operations in Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. The two countries conducted a series of high-level visits and security talks after exchanging cross-border strikes targeting what they claimed were terrorist hideouts. Pakistan claimed that as tensions escalated with India, it was President Trump's back-channel diplomacy and strategic foresight that facilitated a ceasefire agreement on May 10, preventing a broader war. Pakistan's government praised Trump's efforts as a watershed moment for regional peace, underscoring his role as a genuine peacemaker. Trump later said he deserved the prize, but lamented that he would not get it due to liberal bias. Trump campaigned for office as a 'peacemaker" who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although both conflicts are still raging five months into his presidency. Pakistan's desperate push was to solidify ties with the United States and get backing for its position on the Kashmir dispute. India has consistently denied any US role in de-escalating the tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a phone call with Trump on June 17, clarified that the ceasefire was achieved through direct communication channels between the Indian and Pakistani militaries, without any external mediation. First Published: June 22, 2025, 13:35 IST
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Fact Check: Old videos FALSELY shared to claim UAE sent medical aid to Israel
Did the United Arab Emirates send medical aid to Israel during its ongoing conflict with Iran? This is what is being claimed with a video of an aeroplane landing on a runway and receiving a water-cannon salute. The other half of the video shows the unloading of large cargo shipments with 'UAE AID' written on them. The flags of the UAE and Israel were also visible on the aeroplane. advertisementBelieving the viral claim to be true, many Facebook and X users criticised the UAE by saying that, despite being an Islamic nation, it chose to help Israel, not Iran. One such post said, 'Medical supplies from the UAE arrive for the Israeli gang. Is there a greater disgrace than this?!!! Shame.' Its archive can be viewed here. India Today found that the video is not recent but from 2021, when the UAE state carrier Etihad Airways' first scheduled passenger flight from Abu Dhabi arrived in Israel's Tel Aviv after ties between both countries were PROBE With the help of a keyframe search, we found photos similar to the viral video in news reports from April 2021. As per The Jerusalem Post, Etihad Airways' first-ever scheduled commercial flight to Israel from Abu Dhabi was welcomed in Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport by a water-cannon salute. Many delegates from both countries boarded the flight along with the CEO of Etihad Airways also published an article on this event, that said 'the launch of scheduled operations comes as the next historic step in developing diplomatic, trade and tourism ties between Israel and the UAE, which were inked as part of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.'We also found that a news outlet called Erem News had shared the viral video on YouTube on April 6, 2021. Notably, however, this video doesn't show the visuals of the cargo being unloaded as seen in the viral video. And that is because this part of the video is from September 2023, when the UAE sent flood relief aid shipments to Benghazi, Libya. The video can be seen in many news reports.# .. # # # (@wamnews) September 13, 2023We also couldn't find any credible news corroborating the viral claim. However, we did find news reports from May 2025 saying that Israel had allowed humanitarian assistance from the UAE into Gaza to feed 15,000 people is thus evident that two unrelated videos were combined to show the UAE providing medical relief to Israel. Want to send us something for verification? Please share it on our at 73 7000 7000 You can also send us an email at factcheck@
