The Taliban take over Afghanistan's only luxury hotel, more than a decade after attacking it
The Taliban are taking over the operations of Afghanistan's only luxury hotel in Kabul, more than a decade after they launched a deadly attack there that killed nine people.The Serena Hotel said Friday it was closing its operations in the Afghan capital on Feb. 1, with the Hotel State Owned Corporation taking over. The corporation is overseen by the finance ministry.The finance ministry wasn't immediately available for comment. Neither the Serena nor the government clarified the terms under which the hotel was changing hands.The Taliban first targeted the Serena in 2008 and again in 2014. Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani acknowledged planning the 2008 attack, which killed eight, including US citizen Thor David Hesla.A statement from the Serena, a brand owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, said it had trained thousands of Afghan nationals, hosted large numbers of foreign guests and delegations, and set high international benchmarks in hospitality standards.It asked people to direct their queries to the Hotel State Owned Corporation. Kabul no longer appears as a destination on the Serena website.According to information on the finance ministry website, the corporation's mission is to revive and develop Afghanistan's hotel industry. It operates three other hotels in Afghanistan, two in Kabul and one in the eastern city of Nangarhar.Tourism official Mohammad Saeed told The Associated Press last year that he wanted Afghanistan to become a tourism powerhouse.At that time, in a sign the country was preparing for more overseas visitors, the Serena reopened its women's spa and salon for foreign females after a monthslong closure, only to shut them again under pressure from authorities.The Taliban have barred women from gyms, public spaces including parks, and education. Last year, they ordered the closure of beauty salons, allegedly because they offered services forbidden by Islam.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
MWL, GCC chiefs praise Saudi Arabia's Hajj success
RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, has congratulated King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a successful Hajj season. 'This success reflects the Saudi government's great efforts and capabilities in serving pilgrims and ensuring they perform rituals with ease, safety and security,' he said. Al-Budaiwi praised the Kingdom's advanced infrastructure, precise organization, use of modern technologies — including artificial intelligence — and skilled workforce. 'These efforts delivered an exceptional Hajj experience and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's leadership in serving Islam and Muslims,' he added. The secretary-general also lauded the Kingdom's continuous development of the Hajj system. Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa also extended his congratulations on behalf of all MWL agencies. He praised the generous care provided to pilgrims, highlighting the smooth movement between holy sites and the commitment to ensuring their comfort and spiritual focus.
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Interior minister: We didn't witness anything that disrupts Hajj or affects pilgrims' safety
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif emphasized that this year's Hajj season did not witness anything that would disrupt the Hajj or affect the safety and security of pilgrims. "No epidemic or quarantine cases have also been recorded. Preventive efforts and health services provided to pilgrims have resulted in bringing down the rates of illness, heat exhaustion, and deaths," he said. The minister made the remarks in cables of congratulations sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and the success of this year's Hajj season. Prince Abdulaziz extended the greetings on behalf of himself and on behalf of emirs of the regions, members of the Supreme Hajj Committee, security forces, and all members of the governmental and private agencies participating in this year's Hajj. Addressing the King and the Crown Prince, the minister reaffirmed that the success of this year's Hajj season was achieved by the grace of God and then by your generous attention and guidance, saying that this was the cornerstone in enabling all parties involved in the Hajj mission to implement all plans encompassing security, preventive, organizational, health, service, and traffic sectors, with full competence and efficiency. This is in view of providing with the highest standards of care and services to the total number of pilgrims this year, which reached 1,673,230. The minister highlighted that security personnel and all members of the governmental and civil agencies involved in serving the guests of God performed their duties with competence and professionalism, resulting in the success of all plans put in place. Prince Abdulaziz prayed to God to protect the King and the Crown Prince, as well as to perpetuate their glory, and make them a source of strength for Islam and Muslims. He also prayed to God to bestow upon Saudi Arabia the blessings of security, stability, and prosperity under the wise leadership of the King and the Crown Prince.
Saudi Gazette
9 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Hajj comes to a close officially as remaining pilgrims bid farewell to Mina
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — On the third day of Tashreeq, pilgrims completed the ritual of stoning at three Jamarat in Mina on Monday afternoon and left the Tent City for Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Wida (Farewell Tawaf), the last obligatory ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims, who stayed back in Mina on Sunday night to perform the stoning ritual for the fourth consecutive day, threw pebbles at three Jamarat on Monday afternoon. They hurled seven pebbles each, first at Jamarat Al-Sugra, then at Jamarat Al-Wusta, and finally at Jamarat Al-Aqaba in a calm and peaceful atmosphere inside the sprawling Jamarat Complex manned by a contingent of security forces, health workers and volunteers. They then left Mina for Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Wida, marking the end of the hassle-free annual pilgrimage on a joyous and spiritual note. Their movements to and from the Jamarat and Makkah were remarkably smooth. As they bid farewell to Mina, having completed Hajj and fulfilled the fifth pillar of Islam, pilgrims depart with sweet memories and self-realization of fulfilling the once-in-lifetime spiritual journey. Each moment and location within the holy sites is filled with memories and stories of love and gratification, enriched by acts of obedience, submission and worship of God. Although Hajj concludes officially on Monday, the third day of Tashreeq, pilgrims were allowed to hasten to complete it the previous day. By taking advantage of this concession, most pilgrims left Mina before sunset of Sunday. After completing the stoning ritual this afternoon, pilgrims returned to their accommodation in Mina camps, packed their baggage and boarded buses that took them to Makkah to perform Farewell Tawaf.
