Qarizada said visiting the museum had long been one of his cherished aspirations. He also encouraged his peers to visit, hoping they too could forge a profound connection with their forefathers and gain richer knowledge about the history and glorious past of their nation.

Mayel Aqa Karimi, the museum's numismatics section overseer, has devoted more than 20 years to the protection, safeguarding and preservation of these artifacts.

"The value and protection of historical artifacts and cultural heritage are tantamount to the national identity of a country," Karimi said. "If we protect our historical assets, in fact, we are protecting our national identity and the history of our ancestors."

The museum's professional and specialized team works tirelessly to restore and revive pieces that have survived decades of conflict, political instability and cultural neglect."Our conservators protect and restore artifacts that have been damaged," Karimi added.

Afghan authorities are intensifying efforts to protect the nation's irreplaceable cultural legacy from looting and illicit trafficking. Over the past year, Afghan police successfully prevented the smuggling of 142 priceless historical and cultural artifacts abroad.

Official data showed that more than 5,290 cultural relics have been transferred to the museum over the past five years, while over 3,430 artifacts have undergone restoration and repair.

In a world where cultural heritage is increasingly vulnerable, the National Museum of Afghanistan stands not only as a repository of the past but as a beacon of resilience, identity and hope, reminding both Afghans and the international community of the enduring power of shared human history.

Xinhua