According to the Pasargad Heritage Foundation Recently Mohammad Hassan Talebian, the deputy director of Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, stated at a news conference that the Iraqi government has invited Iran to assist in the repair and conservation of the Kasra Arch.

The statement by Mohammad Talebian seems imply that Iraq has not paid attention to the destruction and damage to the Kasra Arch. However, as WCHV has been following and reporting on this story over the last decade, the Iraqi Cultural Heritage Organization has in fact repeatedly asked Iran for help in the work on the preservation and repair of Kasra Arch. Many Iranian lovers of cultural heritage and abroad have regularly asked for help from the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, but the officials of the Cultural Heritage Organization were completely silent in this regard.

In fact, the Pasargad Heritage Foundation has warned the Iranian people, and sent several letters to UNESCO, asking them to pay attention to the dire condition of Kasra Arch. UNESCO has always responded, “We try, but both countries must help.”

Finally, it has been reported that in the same meeting, Mohammad Talebian asked Iraq to renovate the tomb of Muslim Aqeel, one of the Shiite shrines, at the same time as they undertake the repairs to the Kasra Arch.

In the past 42 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has spent a considerable amount of money on government organizations to renovate and expand Shiite shrines and mosques, while ignoring and neglecting the destruction and deterioration of ancient and non-religious monuments. During this period hundreds of historical buildings have been destroyed.

Additional excerpts from the Pasargad Heritage Foundation reports:

http://worldculturalheritagevoices.org/open-letter-on-the-dire-condition-of-taq-kasra/