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Mazār-e Sharīf (), also known as '''Mazar-e-Sharif''', '''Mazar-i Sharif''' and '''Mazar-i-Sharif''' (in Persian مزار شریف), is the biggest city in northern Afghanistan and the capital of Balkh Province . The dominant language in the city is Dari . The city is significant to local Shi'ite Muslim s. The population is 183,000 (2002 official estimate).

Mazar-e Sharif remained a stronghold of opposition groups (notably the Uzbek-Afghan leader Rashid Dostum, and those who followed) for several years after the Taliban took control of much of Afghanistan. Between May and July 1997 the Taliban unsuccessfully attempted to take control of the city until August 8 , 1998 , reportedly leading to a six-day killing frenzy of Hazaras and other locals.

On November 9 , 2001 the city was recaptured by the Afghan Northern Alliance after heavy battles with help from the United States .

Mazar-e Sharif was formerly the capital of the historical province of Afghan Turkestan . Mazar-e Sharif is located near to the much older cultural center, Balkh, which was destroyed by Genghis Khan.