Azerbaijan, Baku, 18 November / Trend corr. I.Alizade/ If Azerbaijani courts do not make decisions to resume activity of Abu Bakr Mosque, the religious community of the Mosque will appeal to the European Court on Human Rights.
"Next juridical sitting on resumption of activity of Abu Bakr Mosque will take place to at the Narimanov District Court on 19 November. If the court does not make a decision to resume the activity of Abu Bakr Mosque, we will appeal to the Court of Appeal and later Supreme Court. We plan to appeal to the European Court as the last instance," Haji Gamat Suleymanov, Imam of Abu Bakr Mosque, told Trend on 18 November.
The blast caused by the hand grenade thrown to Abu Bakr mosque by unknown man at 08:50p.m. on 17 August 2008, killed two and injured 19. The activities of the mosque were suspended after the blast. Elnur Bakhshiyev, of Sumgayit city, charged of committing an act of terrorism in the mosque, has been arrested.
At late October, Narimanov District Court decided to restore activities of the mosque. However the decision was changed at the appeal of the Police Office later who was informed that the mosque is in danger of provocation.
Some forces deliberately delay resumption of the Mosque, Suleymanov said. These forces do not act openly and they realize their plans through definite people, he said.
"There are not any reasons to suspend the Mosque. We are seeking to restore our rights and to open the Mosque. Perhaps, anybody does not like our activity, because many people came to the Mosque for praying. We will struggle to restore our rights by the end within the framework of the law and through civil way. We do not intend to agree upon suspension of Abu Bakr Mosque," he stressed.
At present the Community of Religious Men of Narimanov District, which belongs to Abu Bakr religious community, continues its operation at houses and different mosques, Suleymanov said.
"We will continue our activity despite suspension or resumption of the mosque's activity. We will invite people to religion. However, the mosque is important for praying people."
Suleymanov denied reports on financing of his religious community and mosque by foreign countries. Abu Bakr mosque has had only communal expenses, he said. People praying at the mosque have paid these expenses.
"We are not a political party or great organization to have serious expenditures and to get finance abroad. Some forces politicize and exaggerate the matter concerning Abu Bakr Mosque. We have never held a radical position and been against the authorities," he stressed.
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