Today the Kakar History Foundation commemorated the 3rd death anniversary of Professor Hassan Kakar and laid the foundation stone of his mausoleum in Surkhakaan, Laghman.
The commemoration ceremony held in the Governor’s Compound was organized with assistance of the Governor of Laghman, and other relevant officials, and attended by the Governor of Nangarhar, the First Deputy of the Parliament, representatives of the Parliament, local authorities, academic community, elders, civil society representatives, youth and dignitaries from Kabul and four eastern provinces.
In separate statements, President Ashraf Ghani and the Chairman of the Senate praised Professor Kakar’s work and contributions to Afghan history. The Foundation also renewed its commitment to support and publish scholarly works in history and social sciences and expand opportunities for researchers and academics in those fields in Afghanistan.
After the event, members of the Family and the Kakar Foundation and others laid the foundation stone of Kakar Mausoleum to be built in Surkhaakhan, Laghman, a unique landscape, surrounded by trees planted during the time of King Zahir Shah, facing the Kabul River.
Inspired by the guiding principles of Professor Kakar of modesty, forward-thinking, and practicality, the facility will be the burial place as well an open space for gatherings and events, an Auditorium, a Jumat Khana, a Library and a Reception Center. The spaces are designed to host outdoor/indoor events for academics, students, families, and members of the local community.
In accordance with the traditional Islamic elements, such as the screen system, the clean lines and modern design of the buildings make the place truly one of a kind. Infographic positioned nearby the Mausoleum will showcase Professor Kakar’s works and thoughts. The structures in harmony with the surrounding environment, aim to reaffirm the wholeness of nature around. At the conclusion of construction, the structures will be visible from the nearby Kabul Jalalabad highway, especially when solar panels will power the top of the mausoleum at night.
Funded by the Kakar Family through the Kakar History Foundation, the Mausoleum is designed by a team of architects and engineers led by Mr. Mustafa Nouri, a seasoned architect based in Kabul, who works on the restoration of historic buildings in Afghanistan.
A green oasis of the eastern province and a cradle of learning and education, Laghman is the birthplace of Professor Kakar and home of the community that provided him enormous support during his early years. Professor Kakar lost both his parents at a young age but managed to continue his studies thanks to the constant encouragement and support of his extended family members and the local community.
The Kakar Foundation is grateful for the personal attention of President Ashraf Ghani and other leaders of the State and for the cooperation of the Laghman authorities and the local community, the academic community and others for their support to the Foundation and for the progress of the work of the Mausoleum.
