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There are 10 illegal mosques in Azerbaijan

20 May 2009 12:31 (UTC +04:00)

The activity of all the mosques built after Azerbaijan gained its independence will be clarified. Though demolition of illegal mosques is not discussed, paperwork has already begun to legalize the mosques built without permission.

The issue was put into the agenda after the parliament approved amendments and annexes to the law on â€œFreedom of religionâ€. According to the amendments and annexes to the law, construction of a mosque without opinion of the relevant executive power and unregistered activity of religious community is forbidden. Thatâ€™s why after the amendments and annexes to the law on â€œFreedom of religionâ€ came into force, illegal mosques are being documented.

One of the illegally-built mosques in Azerbaijan is the mosque of faculty of theology of Baku State University. About 10,000 people do namaz there. Both Sunnis and Shiites perform namaz in this mosque. Reports have today spread that this mosque will be closed.

Another illegal mosque is Jeyranbatan Turkish mosque in Sumgayit. No permission was given for the construction of this mosque. Over 2000 people pray in this mosque.

State Committee for Religious Organizations told APA that there are 1750 mosques in the country. 998 of them are operating. 588 mosques were constructed after Azerbaijan gained its independence. 92 of them were built by foreign countries, 63 by Kuwait, 24 Turkey, 1 Qatar, 1 Islamic Republic of Iran and 3 by Saudi Arabia. The religious communities of only 500 out of 998 mosques have been registered. Approximately 500 mosques have not been registered. 50 mosques are open during the Month of Muharram and other times.