Azernews.Az

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev opened on May 17 the Shamakhi Juma Mosque after major overhaul, AzerTac state news agency reported.

The Head of State toured the mosque and was informed on the reconstruction work.

The Azerbaijani President was informed about the Juma mosque, one of the oldest Muslim temples not only in Azerbaijan but also in the South Caucasus and the Middle East in general, which was built in 743. The 1859 and 1902 earthquakes caused a serious damage to the mosque. Then, it was restored as per the design of Azerbaijan`s first architect with higher education, Ziver-bek Ahmedbayov, and Polish engineer Joseph Ploshko. The excavation carried out at the Juma mosque in the 1970-80s discovered medrese, cells and tombstones.

The Head of State viewed photo stands reflecting previous and current look of the Mosque.
President Ilham Aliyev met with religious and public figures here. The Azerbaijani leader made a speech at the meeting.

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade hailed the Head of State`s attention to restoration of religious buildings and presented the Holy Quran to the Azerbaijani President.

Mufti of Chechen Republic Soltan Mirzayev, head of the Coordination Center of North Caucasus Muslims Ismail Berdiyev and Shamakhi resident Majid Shikarov also addressed the event.

Then, they posed for photographs.