Afghanistan: Kabul – Sakhi Shah-e Mardan Shrine

Sakhi Shah-e Mardan Shrine in Kabul, occasionally referred to as Blue Mosque due to its striking blue-tiled architecture, is absolutely beautiful. The shrine marks the spot where the Prophet Muhammad’s cloak was believed to have rested during its journey to Kandahar. The original structure dates back to the 18th century when a single dome shrine was built. Another dome was added in 1919, and then a massive restoration and enhancement was done in 2008-2016 with four more domes added. The tiles feature intricate geometric patterns, floral motifs, and calligraphy. The domes are also adorned with Quoranic inscriptions. This is where we encountered serious Taliban checkpoint and questioning, and were told not to photograph women. The shrine was a site of multiple terrorist attacks by Islamic State in the past years.