Many achievements of Muslim civilizations in Central Asia are still relatively unfamiliar. Surviving monuments are rare because of the tumultuous history of these vast territories. The eastward spread of Islam came to a halt at the borders of the Chinese Empire in the eighth century.

One of the most impressive ones is the Minaret of Jam, located next to the Herat River in the Ghor Province of rural Afghanistan. It is about 65 meters tall and dominates the river valley.