Time Taliban Rebuilt the Bamiyan Buddhas! A Future-Focused Blueprint

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam 14 October 2025 For the Taliban, reconstruction is an opportunity to shift from destroyers to guardians, reclaim moral credibility, and gain international goodwill. Afghanistan has the opportunity to be remembered not for destruction but for courageous restoration, affirming humanity’s collective responsibility to preserve heritage. Main Points: 1. The Bamiyan Buddhas as Spiritual and Cultural Symbols: Though physically destroyed, the Buddhas of Bamiyan continue to exist in spiritual consciousness, representing human creativity, courage, and the ethical responsibility to protect civilization. Their reconstruction would be an ethical, cultural, and spiritual imperative, not merely an architectural project. 2. Islamic and Historical Precedent for Preservation: Classical Islamic law does not mandate the destruction of ancient, inactive relics. Historically, Muslim empires—from the Ghaznavids to the Mughals—preserved Buddhist, Hindu, and pre-Islamic heritage, reflecting true Islamic pluralism. 3. Sufi Heritage in Herat as a Model of Preservation: Herat’s Sufi legacy, particularly under the Naqshbandi, Chishti, and Kubrawi orders, emphasizes protecting spiritual, architectural, and cultural history. Shrines, madrasas, and Timurid-style architecture, including the dargah of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, demonstrate the fusion of spirituality and artistic expression in Central Asia. 4. Rebuilding as Redemption and Strategic Opportunity: Restoring the Buddhas could transform Afghanistan into a cultural tourism hub, provide economic revival, and foster interfaith dialogue. --- In an earlier article at New Age Islam, ‘Why The Bamiyan Buddha Should Have Been Protected By Taliban, Not Destroyed!’ this writer has established the fact that the vandalism and destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan at the hands of the then Taliban was un-Islamic and even an anti-Hanafi act. In this piece, I would engage with a thoughtful question: Isn't it time for the Taliban to rebuild the Bamiyan Buddhas? More than two decades have passed since the Taliban’s destruction of the ancient Bamiyan Buddhas—towering 6th-century marvels carved into Afghanistan’s sandstone cliffs. The world remembers that moment in 2001 not merely as an iconoclastic act, but as a wound against human civilization. Today, however, the Taliban face a historic opportunity: to rebuild what was once destroyed—not only in stone, but in spirit. The cliffs of Bamiyan, once adorned by two colossal Buddhas, are still silent. The niches where they stood—55 and 38 meters high—gape like hollow eyes over the valley, testaments to a cultural loss that reverberates far beyond Afghanistan. In March 2001, the Taliban reduced these ancient marvels to rubble, claiming religious justification. Yet more than two decades later, the question remains: can the Taliban, which is now the Afghan authority, restore what was destroyed? More importantly, should they even consider it? The answer, from both established Islamic ethics and historical precedent, is in the affirmative with a resounding yes. The Bamiyan Buddhas were not mere stone statues. Carved in the 5th and 6th centuries, they represented the Gandhara artistic tradition, a synthesis of Hellenistic, Persian, and Indian styles, standing as witnesses to over 1,400 years of Buddhist presence in Central Asia. They were also symbols of human intellect and spiritual aspiration, a reflection of Gautama Buddha’s wisdom—the essence of “Buddh,” or reason. Sufi masters like Hazrat Inayat Khan described such wisdom as “Buddhi, the inner light that allows one to see life clearly,” a guiding principle resonant with the Sufi pursuit of divine knowledge. The Taliban, in destroying these monuments, claimed they were enforcing the fundamental Islamic tenet of Tawheed—the oneness of God—by eliminating idols. Yet classical Islamic jurisprudence makes a critical distinction: idols actively worshipped are forbidden, but ancient relics of bygone civilizations, no longer the focus of devotion, are not objects of concern. The Qur’an instructs: “Do not insult those they call upon besides Allah, lest in hostility they insult Allah without knowledge” (al-An‘ām 6:108). Prophetic precedent reinforces this ethic. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, encountering Christian and Jewish sacred objects, did not order their destruction. Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, upon entering Jerusalem, chose not to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, recognizing its sanctity and preserving it as a symbol of faith, not a conquest. The Taliban’s act, therefore, was a distortion of Islam—an ideological choice rather than a divine command. History bears witness. For centuries, Afghan rulers and Muslim dynasties preserved the Bamiyan Buddhas. The Ghaznavids, despite iconoclastic raids in India, left the statues untouched. The Timurids, Safavids, and Mughals incorporated Bamiyan into their cultural consciousness. Even Afghan monarchs of the 19th century used the valley as a source of national pride. It was the Taliban alone, earlier shaped by refugee-camp madrassas and radicalized interpretations of Islam, who saw the Buddhas as 'enemies of monotheism'. The destruction, moreover, was deeply political. UNESCO, Buddhist-majority nations like Japan, and global cultural organizations pleaded for preservation. However, Mullah Omar rejected these appeals, framing the act as defiance against foreign influence and as proof of ideological purity to hardline clerics. In other words, the Buddhas were destroyed not out of piety, but to assert power. Yet the spiritual, ethical, and cultural imperative for Afghanistan—and for the Taliban themselves—remains: to rebuild, restore, and reconcile. Rebuilding the Bamiyan Buddhas need not contradict Islam. On the contrary, Islam emphasizes mercy (rahmah), wisdom (hikmah), and justice (‘adl). To restore the monuments would be a profound act of tawba, acknowledging past misdeeds while reaffirming stewardship over creation, both human and divine. How the Taliban Can Rebuild—A Future-Focused Blueprint Form an International Restoration Council with UNESCO, Japan (which funded early restoration), Iran, and Muslim-majority countries with proven conservation expertise like Turkey and Indonesia! Use modern anastylosis techniques, blending recovered fragments with new eco-friendly materials while maintaining authenticity! Construct a Peace and Heritage Center near the site, promoting Buddhist-Muslim interfaith dialogue, Gandhara art education, and global cultural festivals! Celebrate the Buddhas not as idols—but as symbols of Afghan history, craftsmanship, and resilience! First, they could convene an International Restoration Council, partnering with UNESCO, Japan (which funded early preservation efforts), Turkey, Indonesia, and other nations with proven expertise. Second, they could use modern anastylosis techniques, carefully blending recovered fragments with new materials to maintain authenticity. Third, a Peace and Heritage Center near the site could host interfaith dialogue, Gandharan art exhibitions, and educational programs on Afghanistan’s pluralistic history. Finally, reconstruction could be framed as a symbol of Afghan resilience, not as a restoration of Buddhist worship, but as a testament to human creativity and cultural continuity. Rebuilding Bamiyan would yield multiple benefits: 1. Spiritual and moral redemption. The act transforms the Taliban from destroyers into guardians of human legacy. Islamic history prizes preservation of knowledge and monuments. From the pyramids in Egypt to Buddhist relics in Central Asia, Muslim rulers historically protected the heritage of earlier civilizations, recognizing it as part of the divine tapestry of human endeavor. 2. Economic revitalization. Afghanistan is a nation in need of development. Heritage tourism is a proven driver of growth. A restored Bamiyan Valley, with museums, guided tours, and cultural events, could create jobs, attract international visitors, and promote sustainable local economies. 3. Global legitimacy and diplomacy. By demonstrating a commitment to cultural preservation, the Taliban could soften international perceptions, facilitating aid, partnerships, and global engagement. 4. Interfaith reconciliation. The reconstructed Buddhas could become a site of dialogue between Muslims, Buddhists, and other faith communities, underscoring shared values of wisdom, tolerance, and human dignity. Critics in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the Muslim world may argue that rebuilding risks condoning idol worship or betrays fundamental Islamic principles. Yet classical Islamic jurists and even Hanafi-Deobandi scholars like Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi or Hussain Ahmad Madani, greatly revered by Afghan Taliban, never sanctioned the destruction of dormant archaeological symbols. The Taliban’s hybrid ideology, blending Deobandi structures with Wahhabi literalism, was a modern aberration, not a reflection of traditional Islamic jurisprudence. Islam’s true legacy of cultural heritage preservation, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified, lies in the Quranic exhortation. That is, "And whoever honors the symbols of God - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts (22:32). It requires from the authorities like the current ruling dispensation in Afghanistan maintaining integrity, mercy, stewardship, and respect for the historic symbols of other faith traditions including the works of human hands that seek beauty and divinity. The Bamiyan Buddhas, though destroyed in stone, continue to exist in spiritual consciousness. They remind us of the fragility of human civilization and the responsibility of those in power to protect it. Their reconstruction is not merely architectural; it is ethical, cultural, and spiritual. It is a message that Islam does not fear history, art, or the symbols of humanity’s collective striving for the divine. In rebuilding the Bamiyan Buddhas, the Taliban have a chance to reverse history—not to erase the past, but to heal it. They could transform Afghanistan into a beacon of reconciliation, culture, and moral reflection. As Sufi thought reminds us, wisdom illuminates the inward life as the sun illuminates the outward world. Afghanistan’s cliffs could once again reflect that light, reminding all who see them of human creativity, courage, and the capacity for redemption. Sufi heritage in Herat, in western Afghanistan, is also a significant reminder of Afghanistan's deeply seated Islamic and Sufi traditions of protecting spiritual, architectural, and cultural history. During the Timurid dynasty (14th–15th centuries), Herat has been closely associated with the Naqshbandi, Chishti, and Kubrawi orders, each lleaving an indelible mark on Indo-Afghan spiritual ties. Prominent Sufi saints of India and Kashmir including Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti of Ajmer Sharif and Shah e Hamadan Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani and other Chishti-influenced Sufis greatly contributed to Herat’s spiritual legacy, emphasizing artistic achievement, aesthetics, and devotional practices as paths to divine proximity. Herat is still home to Sufi shrines featuring Timurid-style architecture such as the dargah of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, also known as "Hujjat al-Islam of Herat". An enduring site of pilgrimage, spiritual learning, calligraphy, manuscript illumination, and miniature painting, Sufi heritage in Herat contributed to a fusion of spirituality and artistic expression, creating a unique cultural landscape in Central Asia. Rebuilding Matters—For Islam, For Afghanistan, For the World Afghan Islamic tradition supports preservation—not destruction as illustrated above. Contrary to the Taliban’s earlier justification, no classical Islamic law mandates destroying ancient, inactive relics. As Muslim empires—from the Ghaznavids to the Mughals—preserved Buddhist, Hindu, and pre-Islamic heritage across Asia, rebuilding Bamiyan would signal a long-overdue return to true Islamic pluralism. At the same time, it's also a strategic path to diplomatic recognition. The Taliban remain politically isolated. A symbolic gesture like restoring Bamiyan—perhaps through a joint UNESCO-Islamic Heritage Initiative—could win unprecedented global goodwill. It can also transform Bamiyan into a cultural tourism hub, at a time when Afghanistan desperately needs economic revival. Heritage tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors. A restored Bamiyan—with eco-tourism, museums, cultural trails, and Sufi-Buddhist dialogue centers—could turn the valley into Afghanistan’s Petra or Cappadocia. It would shift the Taliban from destroyers to guardians. History remembers regimes not only for mistakes but for redemptions. If the same hands that brought down the Buddhas now rebuild them, it would mark one of the most dramatic image rehabilitations in modern history. Even Nelson Mandela once said: “Courage is not the absence of mistakes—it is the willingness to correct them.” From Ruins to Redemption Rebuilding the Bamiyan Buddhas is not about reviving an ancient religion—it is about reviving Afghanistan’s soul. These statues stood for 1,500 years as witnesses to empires, caravans, monks, mystics, and travelers. Their destruction was a tragedy. But their reconstruction can become a triumph. Therefore, Taliban now faces a defining question: Will they be remembered as the destroyers of history—or the unlikely guardians who helped rebuild it? The world is watching. The tools exist. The support awaits. All that is required is a single announcement— Let the Buddhas of Bamiyan rise again. History will judge those who rebuild not only by the stones they lay, but by the conscience they awaken. For the Taliban, the moment to act is now. Let them choose stewardship over destruction, mercy over arrogance, and wisdom over ignorance. Let the Bamiyan Buddhas rise again—not as idols of the past, but as monuments to a future in which Islam and humanity coexist with reverence for history, art, and the divine gift of human ingenuity. The Bamiyan Buddhas once stood as silent teachers. Even in their absence, they continue to speak—calling upon the conscience of those who hold power. The Taliban now have the opportunity to answer, not with dynamite, but with devotion to heritage, faith, and human dignity. Let Afghanistan become a nation not remembered for what it destroyed, but for what it courageously rebuilt. Related Article: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/bamiyan-buddha-protected-taliban-destroyed/d/137207 ----- Regular Columnist with Newageislam.com, Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is an Indo-Islamic scholar, Sufi poet and English-Arabic-Urdu-Hindi writer with a background in a leading Sufi Islamic seminary in India. He is currently serving as Head of International Affairs at Voice for Peace & Justice, Jammu & Kashmir. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/taliban-bamiyan-buddhas-focused/d/137243 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism