The Defense Minister of Georgia, Tina Khidasheli, visited the military base of the third brigade of the Armed Forces, where she participated in the opening ceremony of an Islamic prayer house. The head of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Georgia, Mufti Beglar Kamashidze, also participated in the opening ceremony. The head of the Defense Ministry ordered the establishment of a prayer house for Muslim soldiers after her visit to the region of Kvemo Kartli (Borchly) with a majority of Azerbaijani residents. Imereti, where the military base of the third brigade is situated, has almost no Muslim population, but citizens of Georgia who are native Azerbaijanis, as well as Adjaris (Georgian Muslims), are serving in the brigade.
Christian chaplains have been working in the Georgian army for many years; but this is the first Islamic prayer house. Tina Khidashelo met Muslim soldiers; she and the Mufti expressed gratitude to them and promised all-round support, including providing religious ceremonies. Representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Borchaly and the elders of the Pankisi Gorge, where Chechen Kistins lived, participated in the meeting. Khidasheli pointed out that similar prayer houses would be opened soon at all other military bases. Islamic clergies will probably escort the Georgian Armed Forces’ contingents on peacemaking missions all over the world, including Afghanistan, where 700 Georgian soldiers are located at the moment. There are many Muslims among them. The third brigade has 103 officers and contract soldiers who are Muslims.
“All people are equal, and everybody has the opportunity to serve his country honorably. Freedom of religion is very important in a democratic state,” Khidasheli said after the opening ceremony. According to her, not only citizens, but also the state has duties, because it must create all the necessary conditions for praying and providing other religious ceremonies in the army. “We are an ethnic and religious minority in Georgia, but we are fighting for the interests of our country everywhere where it is necessary,” a contract soldier named Rasul stated.
