A real estate agency in Herat province has put up for sale the only bathhouse belonging to the Jewish community in the city for approximately 12 million Afghanis.
The agency claims that it holds a permit from the Herat Department of Information and Culture under the Taliban to sell this historical building. The bathhouse includes a hot room, changing room, and hot water reservoir, and is built in an old architectural style.
In a letter released by the agency, it is stated that Habibullah and Abdullah, the owners of the Mousa’i Bathhouse, have committed to cooperate with the organization “ECHO,” which is responsible for the restoration and renovation of the building. The letter also emphasizes that the owners will prevent intentional destruction of the property and protect it.
The document notes that despite private ownership, the owners can make decisions regarding their property while observing the regulations of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Law. It also mentions that after the restoration process is completed, the Herat Directorate for the Preservation of Historical Monuments will return the bathhouse to its owners.
Mohammad Sadiq Mir, a cultural official in Herat, said that the cost of restoring this bathhouse exceeded the announced sale price. Homayoun Ahmadi, an expert on historical buildings, also mentioned that the owner had previously requested the former government to register the building as a national heritage site for 40 million Afghanis, but no budget was allocated for this purpose.
According to him, the bathhouse has been restored with financial support from organizations that support historical monuments, and now the owners intend to sell it. Meanwhile, parts of the building had been damaged in the past, and even during the republican era, attempts were made to demolish it, which were stopped by the intervention of cultural officials.
Following the announcement of the sale, several Herat residents have called for this action to be prevented. They emphasize that due to the historical presence of Jews in Herat and their peaceful coexistence with Muslims, the building could become a tourist attraction.
From the Jewish community in Herat, synagogues such as Yoha, Gulkia, Shamaveil, and Gerjia remain. Among these structures, the Gerjia Synagogue has been significantly damaged, with only portions of its walls remaining. Additionally, the use of some synagogues was changed in later years.
These historical sites are located in the Darb-e-Iraq area, in the old city market of Herat. In addition, a Jewish cemetery still exists in the city. Cultural officials in Herat state that after Jews left Afghanistan, they sold their properties and handed over the synagogues to the government.
According to historical accounts, Muslims and Jews lived side by side in Herat for more than two centuries. However, following political changes and the outbreak of civil wars, many Jews left the country and migrated to other nations.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
