Ceremony held in honor of Bamiyan Buddhas

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BAMIYAN, Afghanistan, March 13 (UPI) -- A memorial service in Afghanistan was held to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban, participants said.

The Taliban used explosives to destroy the massive, stone Buddhas in 2001. The actions sparked international anger.

Tuesday, cultural activists, singers, cinema artists and local officials attended the ceremony, Khaama Press reported.

The lighting of 12 candles started the event, in which participants condemned the destruction of the Buddhas and called it a historical crime, Khaama Press said.

Attendees also called for the reconstruction of the Buddhas to preserve the region's culture.

The region's governor, Habiba Surabi, said the government will step up their efforts to reconstruct the Buddhas.