<p>More than two decades after destroying the&nbsp;Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, the Taliban has now started construction work nearby the cliff, where the two giant statues once stood, to develop a tourism complex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The terror outfit masquerading as the government of Afghanistan is looking to 'rebuild' a historic bazaar that was destroyed in 1990 when the civil war&nbsp;was at its peak in the country. Reportedly, the tourist complex will house guesthouses, restaurants, public toilets, parking as well as grocery and handicraft shops.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the Taliban attempts to embrace modernity by building a new complex, some experts believe that the ruined bazaar itself is a historic site. Moreover, the bazaar could be sitting atop other ancient relics buried underneath it. Thus, by&nbsp;building new infrastructure, the Taliban may be doing a lot more damage to the site.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is being reported that United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, which has been working extensively at the Bamiyan site for decades hasn't been consulted for the project. The UN agency said in a statement:&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>“Unesco has neither requested nor been associated with this project, which is located in the heart of the archaeological zone and could be problematic for the proper conservation of the world heritage site.”</h5>
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<p>When the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan last year, it charged as much as $5 from the tourists trying to reach the place where the statues once stood and look at the holes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-demolished-ancient-buddha-statues-and-now-charge-tourists-5-to-watch-empty-holes-432664">Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes</a></p>

<p>It is pertinent to note that the Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
<strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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More than two decades after destroying the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, the Taliban has now started construction work nearby the cliff, where the two giant statues once stood, to develop a tourism complex.

More than two decades after destroying the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, the Taliban has now started construction work nearby the cliff, where the two giant statues once stood, to develop a tourism complex. The terror outfit masquerading as the government of Afghanistan is looking to 'rebuild' a historic bazaar that was destroyed in 1990 when the civil war was at its peak in the country. Reportedly, the tourist complex will house guesthouses, restaurants, public toilets, parking as well as grocery and handicraft shops. While the Taliban attempts to embrace modernity by building a new complex, some experts believe that the ruined bazaar itself is a historic site. Moreover, the bazaar could be sitting atop other ancient relics buried underneath it. Thus, by building new infrastructure, the Taliban may be doing a lot more damage to the site. It is being reported that United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO, which has been working extensively at the Bamiyan site for decades hasn't been consulted for the project. The UN agency said in a statement: “Unesco has neither requested nor been associated with this project, which is located in the heart of the archaeological zone and could be problematic for the proper conservation of the world heritage site.” × When the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan last year, it charged as much as $5 from the tourists trying to reach the place where the statues once stood and look at the holes. Read More: Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes It is pertinent to note that the Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

After destroying the Bamiyan Buddha statues, Taliban attempts to destroy the historic bazaar nearby

<p>Citing the destruction of iconic Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, Indian envoy to United Nations T S Tirumurti urged the international community to combat “hate and violence” against all religions.</p>

<p>"The shattering of iconic Bamiyan Buddhas, to name one of the tragic events, stands as a testimony to what hate against other religions can do,” he said while speaking at a special virtual event on Friday on the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity organised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.</p>

<p>The Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, drawing a wave of international condemnation.</p>

<p>In the past as well, India has repeatedly called on the need to denounce hate against non-Abrahamic or Indic religions in the backdrop of UN resolutions focusing only on hatred against Abrahamic religions.</p>

<p>Pakistan has been leading when it comes to resolutions on Islamophobia even as it has been silent on atrocities against minorities like Hindus and other religions.</p>

<p>The envoy said that there was a need to need to commit to pluralistic traditions, saying that fraternity blossoms under fraternity, which is in line with India’s belief that the world is one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam).</p>

<p>February 4 is celebrated as the International Day of Human Fraternity by promoting cultural diversity and advancing dialogue and understanding between religions and civilizations.</p>

<p>A resolution regarding this, which was piloted by UAE and Egypt, was passed last. India was one of the co-sponsors of the resolution.</p>

<p>“International days are days which should seek to bring all of us together as one family, and be celebrated in an inclusive manner. They should not seek to divide us,” the envoy said.</p>

<p>Interestingly, it was on this day in Abu Dhabi in 2019 that Pope Francis and the grand imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, met in the UAE's capital.</p>

<p>Al Azhar is Sunni Islam's most important seat of learning while the Pope is the head of the Catholic church.</p>


Citing the destruction of iconic Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, Indian envoy to United Nations T S Tirumurti urged the international community to combat “hate and violence” against all religions.

Citing the destruction of iconic Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan, Indian envoy to United Nations T S Tirumurti urged the international community to combat “hate and violence” against all religions. "The shattering of iconic Bamiyan Buddhas, to name one of the tragic events, stands as a testimony to what hate against other religions can do,” he said while speaking at a special virtual event on Friday on the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity organised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, drawing a wave of international condemnation. In the past as well, India has repeatedly called on the need to denounce hate against non-Abrahamic or Indic religions in the backdrop of UN resolutions focusing only on hatred against Abrahamic religions. Pakistan has been leading when it comes to resolutions on Islamophobia even as it has been silent on atrocities against minorities like Hindus and other religions. The envoy said that there was a need to need to commit to pluralistic traditions, saying that fraternity blossoms under fraternity, which is in line with India’s belief that the world is one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam). February 4 is celebrated as the International Day of Human Fraternity by promoting cultural diversity and advancing dialogue and understanding between religions and civilizations. A resolution regarding this, which was piloted by UAE and Egypt, was passed last. India was one of the co-sponsors of the resolution. “International days are days which should seek to bring all of us together as one family, and be celebrated in an inclusive manner. They should not seek to divide us,” the envoy said. Interestingly, it was on this day in Abu Dhabi in 2019 that Pope Francis and the grand imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, met in the UAE's capital. Al Azhar is Sunni Islam's most important seat of learning while the Pope is the head of the Catholic church.

Citing destruction of Bamiyan Buddha statues, India’s UN envoy says need to combat hate against religions

<p>The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan.</p>

<p>According to carbon dating of the Buddhas' structural components, the smaller 38 m (125 feet) "Eastern Buddha" was built around 570 AD, while the larger 55 m (180 feet) "Western Buddha" was built around 618 AD.</p>

<p>The location was a Buddhist pilgrimage place along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Europe.</p>

<p>Now that the Taliban have retaken control, the place has been opened to the public.</p>

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<p>According to an NBC News article published last week, interested travellers may pay the Taliban guards the equivalent of $5 at a ticket counter and stare at the empty holes where the Buddha statues formerly stood.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
According to NBC, one Afghan visitor came to the site not to grieve the monuments' loss, but to celebrate their demolition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I was young when these were destroyed, about 7 years old, and since then it has been a dream to come and see what happened here.I’m happy it was destroyed. I’m here to see the ruins actually,” he said.</p>

<p>The Taliban faced international pressure to preserve the sculptures when they revealed their plan to demolish them in 2001.<br />
<br />
<strong>Watch | Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by construction workers in Pakistan</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ancient-buddha-statue-destroyed-by-construction-workers-in-pakistan-314434/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>However, the extremists used large explosives to demolish the monuments, claiming that they were un-Islamic.</p>

<p>Despite a savage crackdown in some regions, the Taliban have attempted to show a more moderate face to the world since retaking control of the nation a few months ago.</p>

<p>International groups are pressuring the hard-line Islamic group to conserve Afghanistan's cultural legacy as it navigates the economic and security hurdles of managing the country after years of conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan.

The Taliban are welcoming intrepid travellers to the ancient Bamiyan Buddha statues, historic monuments that the terrorist organisation blew up two decades ago, fresh after their takeover of Afghanistan. The Bamiyan Buddhas were carved out of a stony cliffside in central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley in the sixth century AD and stood around 180 feet tall for 1,400 years, until the Taliban blew them up with heavy explosives in 2001, just before the US invasion ended their brief reign over Afghanistan. According to carbon dating of the Buddhas' structural components, the smaller 38 m (125 feet) "Eastern Buddha" was built around 570 AD, while the larger 55 m (180 feet) "Western Buddha" was built around 618 AD. The location was a Buddhist pilgrimage place along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route between China and Europe. Now that the Taliban have retaken control, the place has been opened to the public. × According to an NBC News article published last week, interested travellers may pay the Taliban guards the equivalent of $5 at a ticket counter and stare at the empty holes where the Buddha statues formerly stood. According to NBC, one Afghan visitor came to the site not to grieve the monuments' loss, but to celebrate their demolition. “I was young when these were destroyed, about 7 years old, and since then it has been a dream to come and see what happened here.I’m happy it was destroyed. I’m here to see the ruins actually,” he said. The Taliban faced international pressure to preserve the sculptures when they revealed their plan to demolish them in 2001. Watch | Ancient Buddha statue destroyed by construction workers in Pakistan However, the extremists used large explosives to demolish the monuments, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Despite a savage crackdown in some regions, the Taliban have attempted to show a more moderate face to the world since retaking control of the nation a few months ago. International groups are pressuring the hard-line Islamic group to conserve Afghanistan's cultural legacy as it navigates the economic and security hurdles of managing the country after years of conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes

Let's shift our attention to Afghanistan now where terrorists have struck a mosque during yesterday's Friday prayers. This has become a nightmare on repeat. Almost every Friday now a bomb goes off. What is the Taliban doing to break this cycle of violence? Nothing. They are busy with target practice at the Bamiyan buddhas. Here is a report.

Terrorists strike mosque during Friday prayers in Afghanistan

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After destroying the Bamiyan Buddha statues, Taliban attempts to destroy the historic bazaar nearby

Citing destruction of Bamiyan Buddha statues, India’s UN envoy says need to combat hate against religions

Taliban demolished ancient Buddha statues and now charge tourists $5 to watch empty holes

Terrorists strike mosque during Friday prayers in Afghanistan