Serving alchohol in a mosque ? : interreligious values should be respected.

By Ulviyya Zulfikar – Spokesperson of the Western Azerbaijan Community.

The Tapabashi neighborhood in the capital of Armenia, historically inhabited by Azerbaijanis and currently reduced to 16 hectares, is currently facing the threat of completely destruction. It was renamed as Kond after the complete  departation of azerbaijanis in 1987-1991 from Armenia. Tapabashi means in azerbaijani language – the upper side of the hill. The neighbourhood is indeed on a hill in Irevan (Yerevan). There were some mosques and houses of azerbaijani intellectual people in the neighbourhood. One of them is Tapabashi mosque, which is in a deplorable condition now.

(The Tapabashi mosque in Tapabashi neighbourhood in Armenia – the first two ones before, the last one after)

Unfortunately Armenia decided to demolish the neighbourhood. The government accepted a decree regardind to its demolishment. While the neighbourhood  is still standing the mosques and historical places are being disrespected here. For example the Tepebashi mosque (also known as Haji Imamverdi mosque) which is a historical and cultural monument is used as a banuasic cafe and alchohol drinks are served in it. In Islamic religion it is not accepted to drink an alchohol in mosques. Interreligious values should be respected.

(The alchohol is served right in the ruins of the Tapabashi mosque)

But unfortunately we see the opposite.  The consumption of alcohol in the Tepebashi mosque in Armenia is disrespectful to the entire Islamic world. Armenia should have respected Islamic religion, Azerbaijan’s tangible cultural heritage and should not have allowed its destruction.

However, not only was this aspect neglected, but the historic Tepebashi mosque belonging to Western Azerbaijanis has been turned into a place where alcoholic beverages are consumed.

More than 300 mosques belonging to Western Azerbaijanis, including the Tepebashi mosque in Armenia, are in a destroyed state. At the same time, nearly 600 cemeteries have been razed to the ground. The Blue Mosque, which has not yet been destroyed, is being presented as belonging to another nation.

Armenia should stop such behaviour towards monuments belonging to Western Azerbaijanis, and the international community and universal religious organizations should not remain silent about the situation. International organizations such as UNESCO and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Pope of Rome should show particular sensitivity.