Herat’s Grand Jama Masjid – built 1200 AD under the Ghurid dynasty. One of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in Central Asia. A living piece of Afghan history.
Then the Ground Shook
March 15, 2025 – 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes western Afghanistan at 6:42 AM. Epicenter just 35 km from Herat. The strongest tremor in the region in 25 years.
7 Seconds of Terror 😱
Eyewitness video: The mosque’s massive domes and four minarets sway violently… then collapse in a roaring cloud of dust. 800 years reduced to rubble in under 7 seconds.
2,400+ Lives Lost
Death toll surpasses 2,400 and rising. Entire mud-brick villages in Zinda Jan district wiped off the map. Families buried alive while sleeping.
Children Under the Rubble
Heart-wrenching scenes: Rescuers dig with bare hands. One man pulls his three daughters out alive after 14 hours – but thousands weren’t so lucky.
Taliban Pleads for Help
Taliban govt declares national emergency. 'We don’t have equipment' – appeals to the world for tents, medicine, and heavy machinery. Aid slowly trickles in.
Herat in Ruins
90% of homes in worst-hit areas destroyed. Historic citadel damaged. UNESCO fears more cultural treasures lost forever beneath the debris.
A Nation in Mourning
Three days of national mourning declared. Survivors sleep in open fields, terrified of aftershocks. 'Allah took everything in seconds,' says one elderly survivor.
Will It Ever Rise Again?
Scholars and locals vow to rebuild the mosque exactly as it was. But with winter coming and funds scarce – the road ahead looks impossible.
Never Forget
800 years of prayers silenced in 7 seconds. Share to keep their memory alive and support Afghanistan in its darkest hour 🕊️