Mosque row subsides as Iran praises Aliyev’s decision
A senior Iranian cleric has appealed to Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev extending gratitude for his having prevented the
"demolition" of the Fatmei-Zahra mosque in Baku.
An Azerbaijani court earlier ordered to have the facility taken
down due to its being built illegally. Iranian clerics responded
with strongly-worded statements, saying that if the Fatmei-Zahra
mosque is demolished, Iran could order Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan
to show resistance. Further, the Azerbaijani president revoked the
court ruling, granting the shrine to the disposal of the Caucasus
Muslims Office, the country’s senior clerical body.
Ayatullah Jafar Subhani of the holy city of Qom’s clerical
authorities wrote in a letter to President Aliyev that his decision
indicates the high respect of the Azerbaijani leader for Fatimah,
the daughter of Prophet Muhammad.
"We rejoice and are content and satisfied with your decree on
preventing the demolition of this mosque…It would also be good if
your excellency became personally involved in the efforts aimed at
upgrading this mosque."*
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