11 May 2009, 10:00
In Azerbaijan, another mosque closed
On May 10, the recently built mosque in the "Oil Stones" region - a settlement on piles in the Caspian Sea, built in late 1940s for development of the oil deposit having the same name, was closed.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the Azerbaijani Centre in Defence of Freedom of Conscience and religion (DEVAMM) that the mosque was closed for the reasons unknown to believers. Last night, the illumination, heating and air conditioning systems of the mosque were dismantled.
Despite the attempts of the Moslems to find out the reasons for closing the mosque, the officials in charge gave no explanations.
"Unfortunately, the recent cases of closing mosques in Azerbaijan and prohibitive measures applied to believers can't be named other than 'mosque phobia'," said Ilgar Ibragimoglu, head of the DEVAMM.
In late April in Baku, Mosque "Shekhidlyar" was closed in the Alley of Shahids, and another mosque in Yasamal District was demolished.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
