Islam Qala

Islam Qala
A road in Islam Qala, Afghanistan
A road in Islam Qala, Afghanistan
Islam Qala is located in Afghanistan
Islam Qala
Islam Qala
Location in Afghanistan
Coordinates: 34°40′00″N 61°04′00″E / 34.66667°N 61.06667°E / 34.66667; 61.06667
Country Afghanistan
ProvinceHerat Province
DistrictIslam Qala District
Elevation
2,398 ft (731 m)
Population
 • Total
16,408
Time zoneUTC+4:30

Islām Qala (Pashto: اسلام کلا, Dari: اسلام قلعه) is a border town in the western Herat province of Afghanistan, near the Afghanistan–Iran border. It is the official port of entry by land from neighboring Taybad in Iran. The Dowqarun-Islam Qala border crossing is located about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the town.[1]

Islam Qala is administered as part of Islam Qala District of Herat Province and is linked to the city of Herat via the Islam Qala-Herat Highway.[2] The town plays an important role when it comes to the economy of Afghanistan because a substantial volume of national trade passes through it.[3][4][5]

Islam Qala is believed to have a population of about 16,408 residents.[6] It has gradually expanded in the last two decades due to the establishment of various facilities. Among them is a refugees repatriation center in which large number of returnees are processed everyday by the Ministry of Refugees and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).[7][8] The town has Afghan Border Police and other national security forces.[9]

  1. ^ "Iran's exports to Afghanistan via Dowqarun-Islam Qala border hits $44 million". Khaama Press. July 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  2. ^ "Iran-Afghan Border Reopens in Herat Province". Khaama Press. April 25, 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  3. ^ "Afghan Pine Nuts Exported to Europe For First Time". TOLOnews. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  4. ^ "Afghan truckers decry extortion, harassment by Iranians". Pajhwok Afghan News. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Afghan truckers decry extortion, harassment by Iranians was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 2013-02-09.
  7. ^ "More than 3,000 Afghan refugees return home in past three days". Ariana News. January 23, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  8. ^ "Nearly 5,000 Afghan refugees return from Iran in 2 days". Pajhwok Afghan News. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  9. ^ "Taliban Prevents Bulk Cash Smuggling from Afghanistan to Iran". Khaama Press. October 16, 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-25.