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XAfghanistan‘s Deputy for Tourism,
XHis Excellency Professor Nasrullah XStanikzai
Message from His Excellency Professor
Nasrullah Stanikzai Deputy for Tourism,
Ministry of Information, Culture and TourismAs the Minister for Tourism for Afghanistan, it is my great pleasure to welcome travellers once again to our beautiful country. Until the Russian invasion of 1979, Afghanistan was the most romantic and fascinating travel destination in the world.
The hospitality of our people has been famed for centuries and foreign guests are now especially welcome as the international community helps us rebuild our country.
Afghanistan has been at the centre of the most decisive events of world history. It has been called the ‘Crossroads of Asia’. Alexander the Great, and the Timurid and Moghul founders of one of the great civilisations of the world, have all left their mark here. Indeed, the Emperor Babur, founder of the Indian Moghul dynasty, is buried in Kabul, amidst one of the most famous gardens in the world. The Greek cities founded by Alexander the Great have only been partially excavated and new discoveries are made every year.
The northern parts of our country and Badakhshan are perfectly safe and have been for a number of years. Fortunately, the majority of the great tourist attractions are in these safe areas.
No traveller who appreciates natural beauty can leave our country unimpressed. Some of Mr Leeming’s pictures – especially of the Wakhan Corridor and Badakhshan _ capture this grandeur.
Mr Leeming is an old friend of the Afghan people and has organised a number of aid projects over the years and I welcome his role in reviving the tourist industry in this country most warmly. The Ministry of Tourism is happy to place all its resources at his disposal to make your visit here memorable and enjoyable.
H.E. Professor Nasrullah Stanikzai
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation
Kabul
May 2005