SAM of Stavropol Territory explains problems of building mosques

The preparation procedure for the construction of a mosque is rather long; therefore, it is much easier to obtain a permit and build a prayer house by observing the requirements of the law, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM, of Muftiate) of the Stavropol Territory has explained.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that an unfinished mosque was demolished in Nevinnomyssk at 2B Matrosov Street after the court found the building as an unauthorized construction that threatened human life and health. The local Muslim community stated that the city needed a mosque and said that they were consulting lawyers about appealing against the officials' actions to demolish the building in which they had planned to conduct namazes (prayers).

The SAM of the Stavropol Territory has an agreement concluded with the territorial administration, and the regional authorities "always meet halfway according to the letter of the law," Akhgyul Khidirbaeva, the SAM's press secretary, told the "Caucasian Knot".

Ms Khidirbaeva has added that regarding the situation in Nevinnomyssk, the SAM had been verbally notified of the intention to build a mosque, but the SAM had received no permit documents.

"A mosque is still a religious building; it has minarets, from which adhans (calls to prayer) are heard. In order to erect a mosque, apart from obtaining permits, you need to have the agreement of nearby residents and hold open public hearings; it's quite a long procedure. A prayer house is much easier to get a permit and build, as there are no problems with paperwork. The administration always welcomes if everything is done according to the law," Akhgyul Khidirbaeva has explained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 5, 2020 at 05:54 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.