Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BAKU137
2010-02-26 12:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baku
Cable title:
AZERBAIJAN: FATIMA ZAHRA MOSQUE AWAITS ITS FATE
how-toVZCZCXRO4211 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHKB #0137 0571240 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 261240Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY BAKU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2453 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3823 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHDE/IRAN RPO DUBAI PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1588
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000137
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM IR AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FATIMA ZAHRA MOSQUE AWAITS ITS FATE
Classified By: ADCM TERRY DAVIDSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000137
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM IR AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FATIMA ZAHRA MOSQUE AWAITS ITS FATE
Classified By: ADCM TERRY DAVIDSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) The Fatima Zahra mosque located in the Yeni
Guneshli area of Baku's Surakhani District remains closed,
and its construction is frozen amid press reporting and
statements by religious officials criticizing the potential
destruction of the mosque.
2. (C) In early February 2010, Poloff and LES went to see
the mosque, which sits on a large plot of land estimated at
five acres on a hillside with stunning views of the Baku
skyline. The basic stone structure of the mosque is
complete, but the inside remains unfinished (as seen from
outside the walls of the complex),with building materials
strewn about the area. There were two raggedly dressed
"guards" sitting in a hut behind a dilapidated wall and gate,
who sidestepped substantive questions about the status of the
mosque by citing their lowly status as guards. The phone
number that the guards gave to LES for the head of the
community matched the number post had already tried to call
several times without success. On this occasion, the head of
the community claimed to be heading to a meeting with the
Presidential Administration. In the following days, post
again placed a call to the head of the community. On this
occasion, the community leader said that he saw no point in
meeting with the USG.
3. (SBU) According to local press reports, the mosque was
originally built from 1992 to 1996; the Baku mayor's office
in 2002 decided to demolish the mosque but never carried out
such plans. The head of the Caucasus Muslim Board, Sheikh
Allashukur Pashazade, has publicly spoken against the
destruction of the mosque. Forum 18 reported on 22 December
2009 that the lawyer for the community feared that the
authorities were making preparations to destroy the mosque.
Having lost their case at the Baku Appeals Court, members of
the community expressed intent to push their case to the
Supreme Court. As of late February 2010, there were no
additional updates on the legal status of the case.
4. (C) Comment: The hesitation of the head of the
community to meet with USG officials may well indicate that
he believes that whatever advocacy might come of recruiting
the USG to the community's corner might not be worth drawing
the ire of the Azerbaijani government. In terms of the
mosque itself, Poloff noted the size and location of the
space around the mosque: it sits at the center of the
community, surrounded by serviceable roads, and with a
terrific view of the city center, waterfront and nearby
hillsides. Though it is conjecture at this point, Embassy is
inclined to believe that the issue of ownership of valuable
commercial property overshadows the motive to suppress
religious expression. End Comment.
LU
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM IR AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: FATIMA ZAHRA MOSQUE AWAITS ITS FATE
Classified By: ADCM TERRY DAVIDSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (U) The Fatima Zahra mosque located in the Yeni
Guneshli area of Baku's Surakhani District remains closed,
and its construction is frozen amid press reporting and
statements by religious officials criticizing the potential
destruction of the mosque.
2. (C) In early February 2010, Poloff and LES went to see
the mosque, which sits on a large plot of land estimated at
five acres on a hillside with stunning views of the Baku
skyline. The basic stone structure of the mosque is
complete, but the inside remains unfinished (as seen from
outside the walls of the complex),with building materials
strewn about the area. There were two raggedly dressed
"guards" sitting in a hut behind a dilapidated wall and gate,
who sidestepped substantive questions about the status of the
mosque by citing their lowly status as guards. The phone
number that the guards gave to LES for the head of the
community matched the number post had already tried to call
several times without success. On this occasion, the head of
the community claimed to be heading to a meeting with the
Presidential Administration. In the following days, post
again placed a call to the head of the community. On this
occasion, the community leader said that he saw no point in
meeting with the USG.
3. (SBU) According to local press reports, the mosque was
originally built from 1992 to 1996; the Baku mayor's office
in 2002 decided to demolish the mosque but never carried out
such plans. The head of the Caucasus Muslim Board, Sheikh
Allashukur Pashazade, has publicly spoken against the
destruction of the mosque. Forum 18 reported on 22 December
2009 that the lawyer for the community feared that the
authorities were making preparations to destroy the mosque.
Having lost their case at the Baku Appeals Court, members of
the community expressed intent to push their case to the
Supreme Court. As of late February 2010, there were no
additional updates on the legal status of the case.
4. (C) Comment: The hesitation of the head of the
community to meet with USG officials may well indicate that
he believes that whatever advocacy might come of recruiting
the USG to the community's corner might not be worth drawing
the ire of the Azerbaijani government. In terms of the
mosque itself, Poloff noted the size and location of the
space around the mosque: it sits at the center of the
community, surrounded by serviceable roads, and with a
terrific view of the city center, waterfront and nearby
hillsides. Though it is conjecture at this point, Embassy is
inclined to believe that the issue of ownership of valuable
commercial property overshadows the motive to suppress
religious expression. End Comment.
LU