AFGHANISTAN; Mazar-Sharif
The `Blue Mosque`of Mazar-I-Sharif, in north-west Afghanistan, is one of the most exquisite places of
worship in the Islamic world. It is also an important place of Muslim
pilgrimage especially for Shi`ite Muslims who believe the mosque houses the
tomb of Ali bin Talib, the son- in-law of the Prophet whom they consider to
the Fourth Caliph. Other historical references claim that Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism was buried here.
In the 12th century, the Seljuk sultan Ahmed Sanjar ordered a shrine erected
on the sacred site and to escape subsequent
Mongol raids it was covered with earth remaining lost until
re-discovered during the rebuilding of the mosque in the 15th
century. Attributed to both Sunni and Shi`ia artisans, Mazar-I-Sharif is
an outstanding example of classic Islamic architecture, its every inch
covered with gleaming cobalt blue and turquoise tiles inscribed with verses
from the Qur`an. Local legend credits it with the mystical power to turn
white any dove alighting in its vast courtyard. The mosque escaped the
Russian occupation of Afghanistan in the late 1970`s and subsequently
survived the destructive Taliban era of the early 21st century. Both
Mazar-I-Sharif and the ancient city of Balkh, 9 km, are outstanding cultural
attractions but few visitors, save for devout Muslim and a few Zoroastrian
pilgrims attempt the hazardous 5-hour road journey from Kabul. Nowruz, the
ancient Zoroastrian new year is celebrated with much fervour in Balkh
province which is a traditional centre for the boisterous sport of buzkashi.