Herat’s Heritage and Its Role in Afghanistan’s Future

(Message on the of Herat Day Celebration)

Keypoints:

• Cultural Heritage: Herat as the cradle of Afghan-Aryan, Islamic, and Khorasani civilization.
• Historical Figures: Celebrating scholars, poets, mystics, and artists who shaped Herat’s legacy.
• Sacrifice and Patriotism: Herat’s citizens defending faith, freedom, and national honor.
• Education and Youth: Graduates and scholars promoting moderate religion, science, and progress.
• Industry and Economy: Removing obstacles and ensuring sustainable power and industrial growth.
• Agriculture: Tracking Salma Dam progress and improving water and electricity infrastructure.
• Transit and Connectivity: Completing the railway, Ring Road, and regional trade links.
• Urban Development: Twinning with Tianjin and implementing the National Water and Land Management Plan.
• Vision and Planning: Long-term strategy for Herat’s revival as a hub of history and modern prosperity.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

It is a source of great pleasure that the citizens of Herat have designated a day to honor this ancient city, providing an opportunity to reflect upon Herat—this vital center of culture, industry, and the Afghan economy.

Ancient Herat has nurtured the civilizations of the Aryans, Greeks, and Muslims within its embrace, serving for centuries as a model of peaceful coexistence. This "City of Minarets," mosques, and magnificent architecture has been the home of many of the most prominent poets, mystics, scholars, and artists of Afghanistan and the Islamic world.

Herat is the primary heir to our land's ancient heritage; the names of its illustrious children are forever inscribed upon the "scroll of the world." Imam Fakhruddin Razi as the leader of theologians, Khwaja Abdullah Ansari as the guide of mystics, Maulana Abdurrahman Jami as the seal of poets, Kamaluddin Behzad as the eternal forefather of artists, and hundreds of other renowned figures who have shone in the spheres of science, literature, and art are testaments to this claim. By raising such giants, Herat demonstrated a successful model of tolerance, scholarship, and cultural prosperity, making the name of Greater Khorasan resonate through history.

This brilliant past has inspired the children of the "Hari Land" throughout various eras to fulfill their admirable duties—whether in the defense of faith and freedom, the service of science, the promotion of Sufism, or the advancement of civilization. Just as Herat sent tens of thousands of its children to the altar of sacrifice to defend dignity and honor during the Holy Jihad, it has also taken firm and lasting steps toward reconstruction and prosperity.

Today, the graduates of "Hariwa" are the pride of Afghanistan, contributing alongside other elites to the country’s development. The esteemed scholars of Herat, by emphasizing a moderate religious path, protect our youth from the trap of extremism. The industrious youth of Herat constantly add to the honors of this soil. Similarly, the traders and investors of Herat keep our national industrial and production sectors active, playing a vital role in our journey toward self-reliance. The women and girls of Herat, through their social and scientific contributions, prove themselves the rightful heirs of Mahjuba Herawi, Mehri Herawi, and the great Goharshad Begum.

However, modern Herat, like every major city, faces challenges that must be addressed. As a major pole of industry, trade, and culture, Herat cannot be overlooked; the development of Afghanistan is inconceivable without the development of Herat. Therefore, the rapid progress of Herat in industry, transit, agriculture, and urban expansion is among our highest priorities.

In the industrial sector, the government is committed to clearing obstacles and ensuring continuous momentum. During our trip to Turkmenistan, we agreed to upgrade the power line from 110kV to 220kV and eliminate the 60–70% waste of the past. We want both the city and the Industrial Park to have a sustainable power supply. We have also reached agreements with Iran to meet the remaining electricity needs of Herat and Farah.

To boost agriculture, we are tracking the progress of the Salma Dam on a weekly basis. Furthermore, I have tasked one of our nation's top specialists, Dr. Humayun Qayoumi—an engineering award winner from Silicon Valley—to personally oversee and report on Herat’s electricity infrastructure.

Regarding transit, we are focused on completing the railway and the Ring Road. Herat will play a central role in connecting Western Asia to the East. Negotiations are underway with Italy to extend the railway to Herat city, and we aim to revitalize Torghundi via Turkmenistan. A Chinese delegation will soon arrive to plan infrastructure and complete the rail links. I have personally tasked the Cabinet to ensure the Ring Road reaches a fundamental conclusion. Herat is destined to be the junction not just for the East and West of our country, but for Iran, Central Asia, and China.

For urban development, we requested during our visit to China that Herat be "twinned" with one of their most developed cities, Tianjin, to begin planning next week. In the developmental sphere, all projects have been reviewed over the last six months, leading to the creation of the "National Water and Land Management Plan." Additionally, preliminary talks were held in Azerbaijan for investment in Herat’s cement production, followed by Dr. Saba’s visit to finalize practical steps.

During the time Dr. Saba served as Governor of Herat, I was personally involved in drafting a comprehensive vision for Herat’s fundamental transformation. Now, with the confirmation of the remaining Cabinet members, we intend to highlight Herat’s central role and witness a positive, all-encompassing evolution.

During the years I spent abroad, I spent an entire year researching the canals and water resources of Herat. Just as Herat holds the highest concentration of 16th-century historical sites in the country, it possesses the capacity for 21st-century growth. It can once again fulfill its historic role in our national prosperity.