SABINA AKBAROVA, TBILISI

It happened many years ago.  In May of 1905, Bolnisi, Georgia, the people were carrying stones by wagon. Everybody was bringing what he has for building a mosque for Faxrali village. 

Faxrali village is situated in the east part of Georgia. 6000 people are living here. 95% of residents are Azeribaijanian.

People decided to bring a stone per man. Whoever has had money gave; those without helped only by. 

Some years later, they could build little building for prayer or do ritual worship or just come and share with their thoughts with others, especially with young people. After some times it became holy place for every resident of Faxrali willage. 

Suddenly everything finished. When Soviet Union was established, people couldn’t go to the mosque. Because in this period, the mosque was destroyed, and the authorities ordered that, building was used like storehouse. Officials didn’t let the people repair it or build new one. Soviet government was denying God. They propagate atheism. That’s why the people who wanted to do ritual worship, prayers were punished by government. 

 But in the heart nobody could change people’s religion and mind. People could to keep and bring their religion to their grandchildren. 

Some years before, the people wanted repair the mosque, but officials didn’t let them. But they had strong hopes that, they would repair building, as soon as possible.

Huseyn Yusifov, the deputy of governor of the Kvemo-Kartli region and Ramin Asadov, the deputy of the head of executive power of Bolnisi region declared to the residents that, government had given permission to repair the building. 

Huseyn Yusifov, the deputy of governor of the Kvemo-Kartli region, said that, this issue was the focus of attention of Mikail Saacashvili, the president of Georgia, and he might be participating in the opening of mosque.  

“It is very good information, we could repair our old mosque, now we can fell ourselves happy”, said Beshir Mammmadov, the resident of Faxrali region.  

Now, the history of construction of mosque is being repeated. 

A stone per man. The grandchildren of this people are collecting money for repair the same building as mosque with the same method. If anybody has not money can help only by building.

 “When mosque will be ready we can live as real Muslim and die as a Muslim”, says the adult residents of Faxrali village.