Hopes of rebuilding giant Buddha statue

10 years ago, Islamic Taliban extremists blew up two giant statues of Buddha in Bamiyan because they believed them to be "idolatrous" and therefore offensive to Islam.

Now, German scientist, Professor Erwin Emmerling from the University of Munich, says he may be able to repair one of the 1,500 year old statues.

For the past five years, he and his team have  been visiting Bamiyan to examine what is left of the destroyed statues. Professor Emmerling reckons there is enough of the smaller (35 metre tall) statue to be able to rebuild it into the cliff where it had stood for centuries.

However, before work can start, Professor Emmerling needs to get permission from the Afghan government. If permission was given, he and his team would doubtless need round-the-clock protection, as would the rebuilt Buddha after it was reconstructed.

A story worth following in the future, we think.