Turkish aid agency builds mosque in Afghanistan

By Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat

KABUL (AA) - Turkey's Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Wednesday inaugurated a mosque at Afghanistan Army Officers Academy in Kabul for 1,500 military students and staff.

Afghanistan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah spoke during the opening ceremony of the mosque and praised Turkey and TIKA for their contribution in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

As a friendly nation, Abdullah said, Turkey and Turkish people have always stood by Afghanistan.

On the occasion, TIKA Deputy Chairman Mehmet Sureyya Er said that the aid agency has three offices in Afghanistan.

"TIKA offices in Afghanistan always serve for Afghan citizens and support and contribute to the development of Afghanistan," Er said.

At least 1,000 projects -- especially on developing education, health, agriculture and infrastructure -- have successfully been completed in Afghanistan, he added.

The mosque has been named after martyred Turkish commander Col. Faruk Sungur.

Sungur was martyred in a traffic accident in 2009 while he was officiating in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).