Azerbaijan, Baku, May 17 / Trend /
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today opened the Shamakhi Juma Mosque after major overhaul.
The Head of State toured the mosque and was informed on the reconstruction work.
The Azerbaijani President was informed about the Juma mosque, one of the oldest Muslim temples not only in Azerbaijan but also in the South Caucasus and the Middle East in general.
The mosque was built in 743. The 1859 and 1902 earthquakes caused a serious damage to it, and later it was restored as per the design of Azerbaijan`s first architect with higher education, Ziver-bek Ahmedbayov, and Polish engineer Joseph Ploshko.
The excavation carried out at the Juma mosque in the 1970-80s discovered medrese, cells and tombstones.
The Head of State viewed photo stands reflecting previous and current look of the Mosque.
Later the President met with religious and public figures, and made a speech at the meeting.
Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh hailed the Head of State`s attention to restoration of religious buildings and presented the Holy Quran to Azerbaijani President.
Mufti of Chechen Republic Soltan Mirzayev, head of the Coordination Center of North Caucasus Muslims Ismail Berdiyev and Shamakhi resident Majid Shikarov also addressed the event.
Then, they posed for photographs.
Azerbaijani President inaugurates Shamakhi Juma Mosque after major overhaul (PHOTO)
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today opened the Shamakhi Juma Mosque after major overhaul.
