Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.12 / Trend J.Babayeva /
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), Sheik-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, considers that officials are guilty of demolition of illegally built mosques.
"Activities of the illegally built mosques are inadmissible and governmental officials should create conditions to legitimate such temples. Not mosques, but officials, who do not create the conditions for this process should be penalized," Pashazade said at the 12th meeting of the CMO on Aug.12.
Head of the CMO appealed to the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations to assist in this issue.
In April, the Prophet Muhammad mosque was demolished in Baku, following a decision by the Yasamal District Court on November 28. The court made a decision on demolition of the Mosque located at the M.Mukhtarov st, 190, upon the appeal of executive power of the Yasamal region.
The court justified its decision by the construction of the non-residential premises of unknown destination in this area.
Only illegal constructions, not legal mosques demolished in Azerbaijan, Head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations, Hidayat Orujov said.
"Mosques are sacred places and they should be built on legal grounds," Orujov added.
Orujovov called on religious leaders to attach special attention to this issue. The amendments and supplements made to the law on Freedom of Religion, reflects needs for constructing repairing and reconstructing mosques, Orujov added.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on amendments and supplements to the law on Freedom of Religion on 21 July.
According to the decree, the Caucasus Muslims Office will appoint the religious leaders, including the leaders of prayer places, in accordance with the relevant executive authorities. Activities related to the Islamic religion, can only be conducted under the guidance of the Azerbaijani citizens, who received religious education in the country.
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