The foundation stone of a religious school was laid on sixty acres of land with financial cooperation from Uzbekistan in the New City area of Mazar-e-Sharif.

Furqat Nazarov, the Consul General of Uzbekistan in Mazar-e-Sharif, said that the construction of this school will cost 6 million dollars and will have the capacity to accommodate one thousand people.

According to Nazarov, this religious school is being built at the request of the Governor of Balkh.

The Consul General of Uzbekistan in Mazar-i-Sharif added, "We have allocated one year for this project, and it will be completed by then."

Local officials in Balkh express their happiness with the establishment of this school by Uzbekistan and say that unity and cohesion among Islamic countries are strengthening day by day.

Noorul Hadi Abu Idris, the Deputy Governor of Balkh, said, "This is a sign of the coordination of the Islamic Ummah. Unity among Muslims is increasing day by day."

Officials in this province consider the establishment of this school by Uzbekistan an influential step in strengthening relations between the two countries.

Abdul Jalil Shaheedkhil, the head of Balkh's education department, said: "The establishment of this school, God willing, will further strengthen relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan."

Zabihullah Noorani, the head of Information and Culture, said, "This is the largest school in Afghanistan, and it will enhance our education sector."

The Consul General of Uzbekistan in Mazar-e-Sharif pledged the strengthening of relations with Afghanistan and added that the issuance of educational and business visas by Uzbekistan for Afghan citizens will soon resume.