Georgian Muslims protest minaret removal
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgian Muslims protest minaret removal, 27 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/525e3ed38.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. |
August 27, 2013
Hundreds of Georgian Muslims have gathered in Tbilisi to protest the removal of a mosque's minaret in the Samtskhe-Javakheti province.
Local authorities removed the minaret in the village of Chela on August 26.
A group of Muslims tried to block the work, but police forcefully dispersed the protesters, arresting 21 of them.
The Finance Ministry said the minaret was removed for inspection to verify if the materials used to build it were properly declared when they were imported into Georgia from Turkey in July.
The grand mufti of the Georgian Muslims' Directorate, Jemal Paksadze, condemned the minaret's removal, calling it a violation of Georgian citizens' rights.
Paksadze is based in the capital of Georgia's southeastern Autonomous Republic of Ajara.
Members of his directorate arrived in Tbilisi to lead the protest there on August 27.
Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Georgian and Russian services
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
