Ceremony Held to Recognize Cultural Contributions Following the Completion of the National Archives Digitalization Project

On Monday (26th of Jumada Al-Awwal 1447), the Ministry of Information and Culture held a special ceremony to mark the successful completion of the National Archives’ historical collections digitalization project. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi, representatives of foreign embassies, officials from various governmental and non-governmental institutions, and members of the media.

The Director of the National Archives, Qari Ubaidullah Hanif, described the institution as the custodian of the nation’s historical memory and a vital bridge connecting the past with the present and future. He reported that 741 handwritten manuscripts, totaling 428,108 pages, were digitized during this project. Additionally, 359 royal decrees and 232 other historical documents were scanned and incorporated into the digital database. He underscored that this achievement represents a significant milestone in safeguarding the nation’s heritage and expressed appreciation to UNESCO and the Afghanistan Information Center for their substantial and continuous support.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister Mawlawi Azizi stated that the National Archives of Afghanistan stands as a distinguished regional and international center for historical documents and academic resources. He noted that Afghanistan has witnessed multiple transitions over the past five decades, which resulted in the loss of many cultural artifacts. Despite these challenges, he highlighted that the National Archives remained protected due to the commitment and tireless efforts of its leadership and staff.

He commended their dedication and emphasized that the National Archives continues to welcome researchers and visitors from around the world. He also expressed gratitude to partner institutions for their collaboration in preserving historical materials and called for ongoing cooperation to further strengthen these efforts.

Other speakers at the ceremony shared their remarks and expressed satisfaction with the successful preservation and digitalization of historical records.

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates of appreciation to representatives of the National Archives and partnering institutions by the Deputy Minister and other senior officials.

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November 17, 2025