E/CN.4/1992/52 page 62 (f) As a result of the acts of sabotage and aggression, the holy shrines at Karbala and Najaf suffered severe material damage. The competent Iraqi authorities, being eager to restore them to their normal state, have begun to repair the numerous damaged parts, which has necessitated their temporary closure to visitors so that they can be reconstructed and restored. (g) Except as already indicated in paragraph (f) above, no form of prohibition has been imposed on the call to prayer or on visits to the holy shrines which are centres of pilgrimage for Muslims of all religious confessions. (h) With regard to the allegations concerning Afghan religious scholars residing in Iraq, we wish to emphasize that very few of them are residing at Karbala and Kadhimiya, although a larger number are living at Najaf. They are leading perfectly normal religious lives and enjoying the protection, care and respect of the Iraqi authorities in their capacity as guests of Iraq. (i) When the acts of sabotage and aggression occurred, His Eminence Ayatollah al-Khoei and his son, Muhammad Taqi al-Khoei, requested an audience with the President of the Republic in order to express their condemnation of the acts of sedition. They were granted an audience which was broadcast by Baghdad television and other radio stations. The Imam's request to speak on television was granted and he repeated his condemnation of the acts of sabotage and sedition. The full text, as well as the video recording, of the audience are annexed to our letter. His Eminence and his son also met foreign journalists at his place of residence in the city of Najaf. (j) We wish to emphasize that neither Ayatollah al-Khoei nor any member of his family has been subjected to any form of constraint, detention, influence, pressure, coercion or house arrest. It is noteworthy that Ayatollah Abul Qasim al-Khoei is over 90 years of age and is therefore suffering from symptoms of ill-health. However, the State medical authorities are looking after his health, which is being periodically monitored by medical specialists. His Eminence Ayatollah Abul Qasim al-Khoei has not expressed any desire to leave Iraq for purposes of medical treatment and is freely receiving visitors. His most recent visitor was Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, the United Nations Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance. (k) Ayatollah al-Khoei's eight aides named in the note were not subjected to any form of detention and the information available to us indicates that Sayyid Muhammad Sabzwari is currently in Iran. Sayyid Muhammad Taqi al-Khoei, Sayyid Muhammad Ridha al-Khurasan and Sayyid Muhammad Salih Abd al-Rasoul al-Khurasan are living in the city of Najaf. At the present time, we have no information concerning the others, although the competent authorities are conducting the requisite inquiries.