An opening ceremony of a mosque erected as a friendly gesture from the Turkmen side to the Afghan people in the village of Akina in Afghanistan’s northern province of Faryab was held on Friday.
According to Turkmen Foreign Ministry’s press release, construction of the 500-seat mosque started in November 2018 as part of Turkmenistan's support to achieve stability and security in Afghanistan, including humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
Turkmen delegation led by the country's Chief Mufti attended the opening ceremony. On behalf of the Afghan side, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Hajj and Islamic Affairs of Afghanistan Mohammad Qasim Halimi, and high-ranking officials of Afghanistan, representatives of departments and state services of the village of Akina and the Andkhoy etrap, as well as numerous Turkmen living in these regions.
The opening of the mosque on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is especially symbolic, Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in the statement, adding that Turkmenistan pays great attention to the stable development of the neighboring country and renders fraternal solidarity and active support in its integration into the peaceful course of development.
Dedicated to the opening of a new spiritual facility for the Afghan people, Turkmenistan also sent a humanitarian cargo to the Afghan provinces of Jovzjan, Herat and Faryab. The cargo consists of medicines and medical supplies, and household, textile and food products produced in Turkmenistan.
A delegation from Turkmenistan and high-ranking officials of various departments of Afghanistan, took part in the delivery ceremony of humanitarian aid in the village of Turgundi of Herat province.
