00:50, 3 February 2017

Moscow Mufti calls on authorities to return mosque in Stavropol to Muslims

Historic mosque in Stavropol. Photo: http://www.islamnews.ru/news-518095.html

The Stavropol authorities refuse to return to Muslims a historical mosque and refer to various pretexts. At present, building of the historical mosque hosts an art gallery. This was reported by Albir Krganov, the chair of the Spiritual Assembly of Russian Muslims and the Mufti of Moscow.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Karachay-Cherkessia and the Stavropol Territory has been unsuccessfully seeking the transfer of the building of Stavropol historic mosque for religious services. For more than 70 years, the mosque has not been used as a religious building.

"Officials voice a flimsy argument that the mosque was built, but allegedly wasn't formally used as a mosque because of the October revolution. However, this is the wrong approach, since the mosque was built by Muslims for their money as the house of Allah and they prayed there! I believe that the house of Allah should be returned to Muslims," stated Mufti Albir Krganov as quoted today by the "Interfax".

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.