Afghan Airport gets a new mosque

Kabul: A newly-constructed mosque at the Kunduz airport, basing the German-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT), was formally inaugurated on Tuesday. The mosque has the capacity for 200 worshippers and was built at the cost of 27,000 euros. Half of the amount was donated by Turkish Muslims while the rest by the German PRT, officials told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Lt. Colonel Bohn, spokesman for the German PRT in Kunduz, said the mosque had been constructed for Afghan staffers working at the PRT base and four German Muslims.

Maulvi Obaidullah, head of Haj department in the province, appreciated the assistance and said construction of the mosque was the longstanding demand of people working at the airport.

Colonel Zebaer, PRT commander in Kunduz, said: 'We respect the religion, culture and tradition of Afghans and the inauguration of the mosque is a proof of that.' He added Germany would continue assisting Afghans in reconstruction of their country.

The commander said the German PRT had also reconstructed the Takharistan Mosque in Kunduz City, Imam Sahib Shrine, and a religious seminary in Taluqan, capital of the northern Takhar province.

In Pul-i-Alam, capital of the central Logar province, foundation stone of a modern maternity hospital was laid on Tuesday.

Local officials said the new health facility, being constructed at the civil hospital, would be completed in three months.

Dr. Zareef Naibkhel, director of public health department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the hospital would be constructed at the cost of 40,000 US dollars.

In Watapur district of the eastern Kunar province, foundation stone of a middle school for girls was laid on Tuesday. The school would be constructed at the cost of $0.2 million.

Provincial Governor Shalizai Didar performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the school. Besides others, the ceremony was also attended by PRT commander in Kunar, tribal elders, teachers and students.