MAZAR‑I‑SHARIF, February 17. /Dunyo IA/. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of a monument to the great Eastern thinker and poet Alisher Navoi took place yesterday in the Afghan city of Mazar‑i‑Sharif, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was organized to commemorate the legacy of the outstanding representative of Turkic classical literature, to strengthen the national and cultural identity of the Uzbek community in Afghanistan, to promote the rich literary heritage and to cultivate respect among the younger generation for their native language, culture and spiritual values.

The significance of the occasion is further underscored by its contribution to the development of friendly and humanitarian ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Uzbek community in Mazar‑i‑Sharif, poets and cultural figures creating works in the Uzbek language, professors and lecturers of the Department of Uzbek Language and Literature at Balkh State University, members of the city administration, the business community, Kamol Nabizoda, head of the “Nabizoda” Foundation, as well as staff from the Consular Office of Uzbekistan. 

The event received wide coverage in local media, reflecting its social and cultural importance.

Speakers emphasized that Alisher Navoi holds a unique place not only in the spiritual heritage of Turkic peoples but also within the cultural traditions of multicultural Afghanistan. His ideas of humanism, enlightenment, mutual respect and moral refinement remain relevant today, providing a solid ethical foundation for fostering social harmony and mutual understanding. In this context, the construction of the monument in Mazar‑i‑Sharif was described as a significant historical and cultural event in the life of the Uzbek community in Afghanistan.

The initiative to erect the monument received broad support from compatriots and members of the public. The laying of the first stone symbolized generational continuity, respect for the rich spiritual heritage and the commitment to preserving historical memory.

In their speeches, poet Abdulkadir Hamidiy “Alakador” and head of the Afghan “Babur” Foundation, Muhammad Nabi “Muallim”, noted that the implementation of this project would contribute to strengthening the national consciousness of the Uzbek community in Afghanistan, preserving spiritual unity and cultural identity, and making a substantial contribution to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two brotherly peoples.

The ceremonial event concluded with an official announcement marking the start of construction, opening a new chapter in the preservation and promotion of Alisher Navoi’s invaluable legacy on Afghan soil.