Minaret of Jam, located in western Ghor province, becomes the first site inside Afghanistan to be listed among the Islamic World Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) heritage sites, TOLOnews reported.

Interestingly, due to its unique remote location, the minaret survived the last 40 years of the cycle of intentional destruction in Afghanistan. It is located near Ghor, a place 200 km east of Herat.

The monument has already been on the UNESCO world heritage site since 2002. Due to armed conflicts in surrounding places, its conservation becomes a challenge for the government.

The 62-meter high minaret is located at the confluence of two rivers, Hari Rud and Rud river, and is believed to have been built between 1163 -1203 under the reign of Gyasuddin of the Ghurid dynasty. It is entirely built of baked and intricate stone.

“We demand the Afghan government, UNESCO and the Ministry of Information and Culture to pay attention to it,” said Bismillah Adel, a resident in Ghor,” Bismillah Adel, a resident of Ghor, was quoted by TOLOnews.

Earlier, archaeologists had discovered a Jewish cemetery just 10 km from the site. Remains of a palace, a military base, and pottery jars were also found at the site.