Believers Defend Haji Javad Mosque (updated)

Baku / 12.04.17 / Turan: About 200 believers did not allow the demolition of the Haji Javad mosque, despite the efforts of the police, to remove them from the mosque and the surrounding area.

In the afternoon, policemen and representatives of local authorities left this zone, and the faithful demonstratively held their namaz (Muslim prayer) not inside, but outside the mosque.

Recall that this building is not a classic example of a mosque - it has a cubic shape and does not have minarets.

The dimensions of the inner room are small – 12 X 18 meters. The ceiling height is 6 meters. According to the parishioners of the mosque, this building was built by the merchant Haji Javad and dates back to the 19th century.

The head of the Caucasus Muslims Office told journalists the demolition of the mosque must be coordinated with the parishioners. The demolition itself can be justified if this is done for the purpose of improving the territory.

Note that last night the builders demolished another small unused mosque of the 19th century, which is also in the demolition zone. Therefore, believers fear that the authorities can carry out demolition at night, when the believers will be few and they will not be able to offer serious resistance.  -02 / 05B-

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2017 April 12 (Wednesday) 12:06:48

Confrontation of Believers with Police Because of Demolition of Mosque

Baku / 12.04.17 / Turan: On Wednesday morning in the area of ​​the former Soviet Street a confrontation arose between the police and a large group of believers who refused to release the building of the mosque Haji Javad.

The building is located in the zone where large-scale reconstruction of urban infrastructure and construction of new roads is underway. According to the plan, this building, which is not of architectural significance, is also subject to demolition.

However, believers have organized circular defense and refuse to leave, demanding the mosque should not be demolished.

The Caucasus Muslims Office does not comment on the situation. In turn, the executive power declares that it has long warned believers of the plans for demolition and there is no alternative to this decision.

During the confrontation, about a dozen active defenders of the building were detained by the police. The authorities still do not take a decisive action, while the believers do not surrender.

-02B-