05 January 2021, 08:36
Mufti criticizes transfer of mosque building in Rostov-on-Don to school
The decision of the Mayoralty to hand the building of the cathedral mosque of Rostov-on-Don over to the jazz school is treated as unfair by Muslims who are outraged by this, Mukhammed Bikmaev, the head of the Muftiate of the Rostov Region, has stated.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Mayoralty of Rostov-on-Don had handed the building of the cathedral mosque, built in early 20th century and rebuilt in Soviet years, for which believers had fought, over to the jazz school.
The mosque was built in 1905. Even in Soviet times, thousands of Muslims gathered there for Friday and holiday prayers. But in the 1960s, the mosque was closed, and the temple property was confiscated. The building was used first as a warehouse, then as a gym, and then it was rebuilt into a soldiers' club by destroying the dome, minaret and part of the walls, says the website of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the Rostov Region.
The current Rostov mosque fails to house all the believers; and Muslims of Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly tried to return the building of the historic cathedral mosque, which has now been transferred to the jazz school, Mukhammed Bikmaev, chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the Rostov Region, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"We did everything we could – we reached the Supreme Court and received a refusal. Thus, in the current situation, we can only express our indignation and disapproval at the unfair decision, when the building is transferred to the jazz school, and not to its initial owners," Mr Bikmaev has emphasized.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 4, 2021 at 10:23 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Semyon Charny Source: CK correspondent
