Georgian Muslims protest 'desecration' of future madrasah in Ajara
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 September 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgian Muslims protest 'desecration' of future madrasah in Ajara, 11 September 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/542ac75f15.html [accessed 29 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. |
September 11, 2014
By RFE/RL's Georgian Service
Muslims in Georgia condemned what they called the "desecration" of a planned Islamic school after a pig's head was nailed to the door of a building that is expected to house a madrasah.
The pig's head was found affixed to the door of the building in the city of Kobuleti in the Ajara region on September 10.
Jemal Paksadze, the mufti of the Georgian Muslims' Directorate, said on September 11 that those behind the incident should be held responsible.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called the incident "a provocation" and urged law enforcement agencies to investigate.
The deputy head of Kobuleti municipality, Irakli Tsetskhladze, said on September 10 that most people in the neighborhood are Orthodox Christians and the opening of madrasah in that part of the city might lead to tension.
Georgia is predominantly Orthodox Christian but Ajara, which borders Turkey in the southwest, is home to many Muslims.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
