Western Azerbaijan Community slams alcohol consumption in Tepebashi Mosque, calls it disrespect to Islam PHOTO

The spokesperson for the Western Azerbaijan Community Ulviyya Zulfikar has condemned the alcohol consumption in the Tepebashi Mosque in Yerevan.

Drinking alcohol in the Tepebashi Mosque, a monument of material heritage in the historical city of Azerbaijan, reflects a disrespect toward the entire Islamic world, she said, Caliber.Az reports.

"In Armenia, more than 300 mosques belonging to Western Azerbaijanis, including the Tepebashi Mosque, are in deplorable condition, and about 600 cemeteries are completely destroyed. The Blue Mosque is even presented as belonging to another nation," the spokesperson said. 

Zulfikar urged Armenia to respect the heritage of Western Azerbaijanis: "Armenia must put an end to such behaviour toward the heritage of Western Azerbaijanis, and the international community and world religious organizations should not ignore this issue. In particular, UNESCO, the Pope, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation must give special attention to what is happening."

Earlier, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Iran, Ali Alizada, criticised the offering of alcoholic beverages to tourists at the devastated historic Tepebashi Mosque in Yerevan.

The Tepebashi Mosque, historically associated with Azerbaijan’s cultural and religious presence in Yerevan, has long been a subject of concern regarding its preservation and use. Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised the issue of the destruction and desecration of its religious sites in Armenia, particularly following the decades-long occupation of Karabakh.

By Khagan Isayev