Azerbaijan official says mosque demolitions legitimate
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 June 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijan official says mosque demolitions legitimate, 5 June 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a37834a1a.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 05, 2009
BAKU – An Azerbaijani presidential administration official has said that the recent demolition of three mosques was carried out because the buildings were meant for commercial purposes, and that their use for religious activity violated the law, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.
Ali Hasanov, head of the administration's sociopolitical department, rejected suggestions that the demolition of the mosques could be considered a violation of religious rights.
The State Committee on Work with Religious Bodies says that there are some 1,750 mosques in Azerbaijan, of which only about 500 are officially registered.
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