The Taliban-appointed governor’s office in Jowzjan province has announced the arrival of a delegation of Turkish clerics in Sheberghan, aimed at fostering stronger ties between religious scholars from Afghanistan and Turkiye.

In an official statement, the Taliban said the Turkish delegation was taken to visit two prominent places in the region: Abu Sulaimani Jowzjani seminary and Dasht-e Leili. The latter holds deep symbolic significance for the Taliban, as it is believed to be the site of mass graves containing the remains of Taliban fighters killed in the 1990s.

In November 2024, the Taliban revealed plans to fence off the Dasht-e Leili grave site and build a mosque on the grounds, framing the move as a tribute to what they call “martyrs.” The group continues to accuse forces loyal to the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, then commanded by Abdul Rashid Dostum—now in exile in Turkiye—of responsibility for the so-called Dasht-e Leili massacre, allegations that Dostum has consistently denied.

The Turkish clerical delegation also met with Gol Haidar Shafaq, the Taliban-appointed governor of Jowzjan, to discuss avenues for enhancing religious cooperation between the two nations.

Governor Shafaq described the visit as a meaningful step toward reinforcing Islamic values and strengthening religious and diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and Turkiye.