Funds for Mahabad Heritage

A budget of 2.3 billion rials ($62,000) has been allocated to restore cultural and historical heritage sites in Mahabad, West Azarbaijan Province, the provincial office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization announced.  During the first meeting held by the provincial planning committee on Saturday, restoration projects were discussed and budget was approved by cultural heritage authorities, the provincial ICHHTO said in a report on its website.  The restoration projects include Howz Khaneh, a traditional patio with a pond, Mirza Rasoul Museum, Mahabad Jame' Mosque and Laj Bathhouse. The bathhouse is named after the village with the same name. "Plans include completing the construction of archeology museum and the office of ICHHTO," said Iraj Shojaei, the province's governor general.   Mahabad is situated in a region that was the center of Mannaeans, an ancient people who inhabited northwestern Iran between 10th and 7th centuries BC.