The Minister of MOHIA, Sheikh al-Hadith Dr. Mawlawi Noor Mohammad Saqib, laid the foundation stone for a large commercial endowment market in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province

On Sunday, 29th Jumadi al-Akhira 1447 AH, corresponding to 29th Qaws 1404 .

A ceremony was held on this occasion. In addition to the esteemed minister, the Deputy Economic Chief of the Council of Ministers, respected Haji Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Governor of Balkh, Haji Mulla Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, the Governor of Faryab, Haji Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Fazli, heads of contracting companies, and several other officials also participated.

The mentioned market, which will be built in eight (8) floors at a total cost of seven hundred forty-two million (742,000,000) Afghanis by two private companies over a period of two (2) years, will include (878) shops, a mosque with an area of (600) square meters, four (4) modern restaurants, standard vehicle parking, and other necessary amenities. These two contracting companies will use the market for seventeen (17) years while paying an annual rent of forty-three (43) million Afghanis to the ministry and will fully hand over the market to the ministry after the specified period.

With the operation of this project, the endowment revenues will increase several times, and this dilapidated area of Mazar-i-Sharif will be transformed into a modern and standard market. The minister emphasized in his speech the importance of endowments in Islamic Sharia and their historical role, highlighting the value of endowments in mosques, schools, and other charitable and public benefit matters.

The minister also added that currently, a total of eighty-three thousand eight hundred seventy-five (83,875) jeribs of land are registered as endowment property in the ministry across the country. The ministry intends to start and implement more similar projects to create job opportunities for our dear compatriots, increase endowment revenues, and effectively utilize them in building and repairing mosques and other charitable and public benefit projects. He also urged investors and wealthy individuals in the country to dedicate their movable and immovable properties as ongoing charity (sadaqa jariyah) to preserve and promote the culture of endowment for worldly and eternal rewards. He stressed that the ministry is committed to ensuring better management and comprehensive protection of endowment properties.

During this ceremony, the Deputy Economic Chief of the Council of Ministers, Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar, also assured that the Islamic Emirate collaborates with the private sector in all areas and urged private companies to implement their projects according to accepted standards. He also called on the international community to lift the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan and instead develop economic relations with them, as Afghanistan's economic progress is not against any country's interests.

Furthermore, the Governor of Balkh, respected Haji Mulla Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, also delivered a speech stating that the Islamic Emirate is committed to rebuilding the country and has ensured complete security with divine success and public cooperation while providing a suitable environment for investment. He also emphasized the need for greater support and strengthening of the Islamic system by the people and urged citizens not to fall for the psychological warfare of enemies but rather to counter their plots with unity and solidarity.

Continuing with the program, Mawlawi Hamdullah Akhundzada, General Director of Endowments at the Ministry of Guidance, Hajj, and Endowments, provided comprehensive information about the past and present status of this project and added that implementing this project will create job opportunities for thousands of citizens in the country