Editor's note: Some paragraphs were added in the article
Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 8 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
Many mosques were built in Azerbaijan in the 1990s and some of them are illegal, the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, Hidayat Orujov, said today at a press conference at the ruling New Azerbaijan Party's headquarters.
The construction of mosques in Azerbaijan was mainly funded by Kuwait and Turkey, he said.
"Kuwait built 73 mosques in Azerbaijan, Turkey built 21 and Saudi Arabia built one," Orujov said.
Orujov said the committee is engaged in the legalization of illegally constructed mosques.
"Under the law, construction, restoration and substantial repairs to places of worship are carried out based on the revocation by the State Committee. The Council established under the Comitee Chairman considers these issues and takes appropriate decisions on construction," Orujov said.
"Azerbaijan has not destroyed any mosque built legally, but the country destroyed and will destroy illegal buildings. The country will no longer grant permits for illegal buildings," he added.
According to Orujov, some forces are trying to create hype around the issue of the destruction of illegal buildings presented as mosques. Their goal is to shelter their activities and mislead the public, trying to bring this matter to the attention of international organizations, he said.
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