Mosque to be demolished in Grozny

It was decided to demolish a small mosque in Kadyrov Avenue in the Chechen capital, where broad-scale repair and construction works are on for several weeks already. According to the authorities, "it does not match the architectural appearance of the avenue," which awaits a radical reconstruction. A local clergyman treats the demolition of the mosque as sacrilege.

"The Akhmad Kadyrov Avenue undergoes a large-scale reconstuction," an official from the Mayoralty of Grozny told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Building facades are faced with natural stone; roofs are replaced; the systems of sewage, and water and gas supplies are replaced. The Avenue will have six new mini-parks with fountains."

"It was decided to demolish several buildings, which don't match the new architectural image of the central avenue, including the little mosque, which is located in the avenue," he said.

According to a local clergy man, who preferred to remain anonymous, demolition of a mosque is "one of the gravest crimes before the Almighty." "This demolition cannot be justified by any well-intentioned plans; moreover by plans just to decorate a street," he stressed. "Any person, well versed in Islam, knows very well that demolition of mosques is strictly prohibited.