Herat Municipality and the Provincial Directorate of Guidance, Hajj and Religious Affairs Sign a Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding

A bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Herat Municipality and the Provincial Directorate of Guidance, Hajj and Religious Affairs, following Letter No. 403 dated 23/12/1447 from the General Directorate for Coordination of Municipal Affairs. The letter emphasized the importance of tree planting, urban cleanliness and sanitation, and citizens’ responsibilities toward their city and the environment from an Islamic perspective.

Under this MoU, in addition to establishing a framework for cooperation between the two institutions, Friday sermons will henceforth address urban issues, including city cleanliness and sanitation and citizens’ responsibilities toward their city, through guidance and advice delivered by mosque preachers.

Haji Mawlavi Hamdullah Nomani, Mayor of Herat, described cooperation between the Municipality and the Directorate of Guidance, Hajj and Religious Affairs as an important step toward promoting and strengthening urban culture. He highlighted the influential role of mosque preachers in this regard. The Mayor stated that, according to the teachings of Islam, the Hadiths of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the sayings of religious scholars and elders, all people are obliged to respect one another’s rights and maintain cleanliness. He emphasized the importance of communicating these religious and Islamic responsibilities to the public through mosque pulpits, which serve as an important platform for the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, Mawlavi Baz Mohammad Nayab, Director of Guidance, Hajj and Religious Affairs for Herat Province, described compliance with urban regulations and the promotion of urban culture as the responsibility of all citizens. He assured the Municipality of his directorate’s full cooperation in strengthening urban culture and fostering brotherhood and solidarity among the public.

Commending Herat Municipality’s efforts to develop urban infrastructure, improve cleanliness, and implement major projects across the city’s 15 districts, the Director called on the Cultural and Social Affairs Department of the Urban Governance Directorate to communicate key issues to citizens through cultural and educational programmes conducted in cooperation with religious scholars and community elders. These issues include collective cleaning campaigns, encouraging citizens to care for parks and green spaces, and promoting public cooperation with the Municipality.