KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban have begun building eight mosques along the Herat-Kandahar Highway, according to the Taliban-run Ministry of Public Works.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshinas, Taliban’s spokesman for the the ministry, said Wednesday that the mosques are being constructed on the orders of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to serve travelers on the busy route.
The project, estimated to cost 259 million Afghanis ($3.3 million), will be funded from the Taliban administration’s budget, Haqshinas said.
Focus on religious infrastructure
Taliban leader prioritized the construction of mosques along Afghanistan’s highways after assuming leadership in 2021. In April 2023, the Taliban cabinet mandated the construction of a mosque every 100 kilometers along major routes across the country.
Since returning to power, Taliban claim to have constructed more than 1,500 mosques nationwide, part of a broader focus on religious infrastructure.
The Herat-Kandahar Highway, a critical artery connecting two major cities, is frequently used by travelers and goods transporters, with limited existing facilities for rest or worship.
While the Taliban’s efforts to build mosques underscore their emphasis on religious priorities, critics argue that Afghanistan faces more pressing needs, including economic recovery, healthcare, and education access.
