Afghanistan: Residents and cultural figures in Ghazni are calling on authorities to complete the unfinished restoration work and ensure the preservation of the shrine of the world-renowned scholar Abu Rayhan Muhammad al-Biruni, located in the province.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of this great philosopher’s tomb, they emphasize that it should be restored as a significant historical heritage site.
Cultural activist Agha Mohammad Khushazada said: “Ten years ago, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Culture visited Ghazni and pledged that his country would restore the tomb of al-Biruni. However, no action was taken. Neither the Ministry of Information and Culture, nor international organizations or aid agencies have cooperated in this regard. Al-Biruni is one of Afghanistan’s internationally recognized figures, and we urge the Ministry to complete the unfinished restoration project of his tomb and research center.”
Another cultural activist, Shirin Ansari, stated: “Abu Rayhan al-Biruni was not only a scholar of Afghanistan but of global stature. His books have been translated into 16 languages and his medical works are taught internationally. Tourists from around the world visit his shrine, and when they see its current state, we feel ashamed.”
Although a major restoration project was launched in 2013 to reconstruct the tomb, its courtyard, a library, and a research center named after al-Biruni, it was soon stalled and no practical steps have been taken since.
Meanwhile, Ghazni’s Director of Information and Culture, Hamidullah Nisar, stated that an agreement has recently been signed with a domestic company for the restoration of al-Biruni’s tomb and that practical work is expected to begin next solar year.
“This company will carry out a fundamental reconstruction of al-Biruni’s tomb and will also begin work next year on building a school and research center in his name,” he said.
Despite pledges from countries like Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and others to support the restoration of al-Biruni’s shrine, the project remains incomplete more than a decade later.
