Poor repairs and unlimited urban development have endangered many of the religious buildings in the old inner city of Herat. This includes the Hafezji mosque. Partly because of inadequate drainage, the condition of the Hafezji mosque has rapidly deteriorated as a result of the heavy rainfall during the spring of 2007. This has seriously damaged both the foundations and the mosque’s superstructure, which are now on the point of collapse. CER donated €22,100 to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Kabul for the immediate repair of the mosque’s walls and domes along with an upgrading of the drainage system.
The Jewish monuments in Herat form an important heritage of what used to be an important community both in and around the old city. The Yu Aw synagogue ceased to have a religious function following the exodus of the Jewish community in the 1970s. Neglect resulted in the collapse of both the northern dome and a part of the southern vaulting, and heavy rainfall caused the building’s condition to deteriorate further. CER’s donation of €25,000 is contributing to the synagogue’s immediate stabilisation. This is the first step towards the building’s continued restoration, after which it will be given a new public function. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Kabul will co-ordinate the repairs.
Partner’s information:
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture www.akdn.org/agency/aktc.html
7 February 2008 , 8pm, Jolyon Leslie, Head of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture inKabul, speaks on endangered heritage of Afghanistan.
On 7 February in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amderdam Jolyon Leslie will give a presentation on heritage that remains threatened. Ole Bouman, Director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute, will moderate a discussion on the protection of built heritage in Afghanistan, both during and after the Taliban regime, examining the relationship between power and the wilful destruction of culture. Read More
A CER action in Herat, Afghanistan: The stabilisation of the Hafezji mosque.Copyright: Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan
A CER action in Herat, Afghanistan: The stabilisation of the Yu Aw synagogue and Hafezji mosque. Copyright: Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan
A CER action in Herat, Afghanistan: The stabilisation of the Yu Aw synagogue and Hafezji mosque. Copyright: Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan
CER provides emergency relief for cultural heritages that have been affected by man-made or natural disasters.
Cultural Emergency Response
Prince Claus Fund
Hoge Nieuwstraat 30
2514 EL The Hague
Tel. 31 (0)70 4274303
Fax 31 (0)70 4274277
E-mail cer@princeclausfund.nl
www.princeclausfund.nl
