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A picture shows the valley of Bamian in central Afghanistan
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A picture shows the valley of Bamian in central Afghanistan
A picture shows the valley of Bamian in central Afghanistan, with the part of the Himalaya mountain range in the background, September 21, 2005. In 1999, the Islamic fundamentalist movement that was then in control of most of Afghanistan, declared the statues and grottoes idolatrous and un-Islamic, and in March 2001 they used artillery and explosives to demolish the Great Buddha and another large statue. Picture taken on September 21, 2005. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan - RP6DRNAVIYAD
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Media ID 19602657
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This print captures the breathtaking beauty of the Bamian Valley in central Afghanistan, with the majestic Himalaya mountain range serving as a stunning backdrop. The image, taken on September 21,2005, transports us to a land rich in history and natural wonders. However, behind this picturesque scene lies a tragic tale of cultural destruction. In 1999, during the reign of an Islamic fundamentalist movement that controlled most of Afghanistan at the time, these statues and grottoes were deemed idolatrous and un-Islamic. This led to an unthinkable act of vandalism in March 2001 when artillery and explosives were used to demolish the Great Buddha along with another significant statue. Desmond Boylan's lens immortalizes this momentous landscape while also reminding us of the irreparable loss suffered by humanity due to such acts. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder that our world is not immune to conflict-driven devastation even amidst its most serene corners. As we gaze upon this image today, let it serve as both a testament to mankind's capacity for creation and destruction. May it inspire us all to cherish our shared heritage and work towards preserving cultural treasures for future generations – ensuring that they never become mere fragments frozen in time like those lost statues in Bamian Valley.
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