Ilham Aliyev: Haji Javad Mosque’s opening after presidential election is clear example of state-religion relations
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of a new building of Haji Javad Mosque in Yasamal district of Baku on April 12.
Opening of the Haji Javad Mosque as the first event after the presidential election is a clear example of state-religion relations, President Aliyev said at the opening.
“I congratulate you on the opening of the new building of the Haji Javad Mosque. This is a wonderful event, a beautiful mosque. The mosque has been built in the traditional architectural style of Azerbaijan. Its interior design, appearance please the eye,” he said.
The head of state noted that the mosque was built in a short time.
At the same time, he said that the previous mosque didn't have a minaret, while the new one does.
“An administrative building has been constructed, and the adjacent territory has been landscaped. According to information I have, 500, and maybe 600 people can perform a prayer at the same time in the mosque,” the head of state said.
He added that the mosque has been built through state funds.
“As you know, lately all our historical mosques have been thoroughly renovated by the state and new mosques have been built. Bibiheybat mosque, Tezepir mosque are among them. Currently, great creative work is being carried out around the Tezepir mosque. You know it well, because the Haji Javad Mosque was located there. The territory is cleared in front of it, a large park will be set up here, and a road infrastructure will be created,” said President Aliyev.
He went on to add that other historical mosques have been overhauled as well. Among them are the Ajdarbey Mosque, the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, built in 743.
“Another ancient mosque was fully renovated recently in the Demirchi village of Shamakhi district. It was built in the same period. The complete reconstruction of the religious and historical complex, Imamzadeh, was a major historical project. We, having saved the ancient place for the prayer, built a new mosque. Public buildings were also built there, the adjacent territory was landscaped. The Heydar Mosque was built at my initiative in Baku several years ago, and it is a beautiful, majestic mosque,” added President Aliyev.
Under the instruction of the Azerbaijani president, a new building of the Haji Javad Mosque was built on Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh Street, 1, in Yasamal district of Baku.