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MOSQUE TO BE BE PULLED DOWN BECAUSE OF OLD ARMENIAN MONASTERY IN VAN
news.am
Oct 26 2010
Armenia
The foundation of a new mosque has been laid in the village of
Yukari Bakracli, 10 kilometers of Van. The local residents want the
well-known Armenian monastery Varagavank to be renovated in their
village, and the mosque beside it has to be pulled down.
The head of the village community said that he was initially against
the villagers' demands. However, the Religious Affairs Department
informed him that the mosque could, if necessary, be pulled down.
The new mosque will be completed in 2012, after which the old one
will be pulled down.
A NEWS.am correspondent talked to the local imam Mehmet Choban. He
said that the renovation of Varagavank requires the displacement of
the mosque, which is now in front of the monastery.
"We addressed a relevant letter. The Van authorities and the Ministry
of Tourism and Culture approved the renovation program. The renovation
work at the church will start next year," Choban said. He said that
full-scale renovation is planned, similar to that at the church on
Akhtamar Island.
From: A. Papazian
news.am
Oct 26 2010
Armenia
The foundation of a new mosque has been laid in the village of
Yukari Bakracli, 10 kilometers of Van. The local residents want the
well-known Armenian monastery Varagavank to be renovated in their
village, and the mosque beside it has to be pulled down.
The head of the village community said that he was initially against
the villagers' demands. However, the Religious Affairs Department
informed him that the mosque could, if necessary, be pulled down.
The new mosque will be completed in 2012, after which the old one
will be pulled down.
A NEWS.am correspondent talked to the local imam Mehmet Choban. He
said that the renovation of Varagavank requires the displacement of
the mosque, which is now in front of the monastery.
"We addressed a relevant letter. The Van authorities and the Ministry
of Tourism and Culture approved the renovation program. The renovation
work at the church will start next year," Choban said. He said that
full-scale renovation is planned, similar to that at the church on
Akhtamar Island.
From: A. Papazian