Religious differences in GeorgiaThe government fails to develop a mechanism for interaction with the Muslim community<--break->By Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaTensions after the protests in Mokh, a town consisting of Muslim and Christian inhabitants, continue in the Adyge District of Georgia. Georgian Muslims have been demanding possession of the old mosque for years. The building was granted to the Lenin Library during the Soviet era and became collapsing over time.Muslims want the mosque fixed and used for prayers. The authorities of Samtskhe-Javakheti say that Mokh already has a mosque and a church for both Christians and Muslims, so there is no need for a second mosque.All attempts by the Muslim to explain that the old mosque had had religious value centuries ago have been unsuccessful. On the contrary, the administration has suddenly declared plans to demolish the building and build a new library or another education center.The Muslim population responded with protests around the half-ruined mosque. Nonetheless, the demolition process has already started. When locals tried to block building equipment and the road to Mokh, the police arrested several people. They were taken to the regional police department, with criminal cases initiated for resisting the police.Neither the central nor the regional authorities plan to concede. “All citizens are equal before the law,” said Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili at a government session.“The library construction is acceptable for me, because a library meets the interests of the whole population of Mokh,” added State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Paata Zakareishvili.Samtskhe-Javakheti Mufti Mamuk Vashakmadze demanded a personal meeting with the prime minister then to explain the value of the mosque to the Muslim population of Georgia. So far, the request has not been fulfilled. After Muslim-populated villages said that would not send their children to school and declared their intentions to block the central Akhalstikhe-Tbilisi Highway, all people detained in Mokh were released, authorities of the region expressed readiness to start talks to find a compromise.Regional Governor Akakiy Machutadze announce a press conference soon after that and said that the demands of Georgian Muslims were unacceptable. “They insist on beautifying the building of the mufti’s residence. We intend to use the second, operating mosque as a residence,” noted the functionary, warning that the government will not tolerate any pressure.NGOs and some representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church backed the Mokh residents, urging the administration of the region to take the opinion of the religious minority into account. The problem remains unresolved. It has not been the first religious tension in Samtskhe-Javakheti. There has been similar ballyhoo over demolition of a minaret in Chela. The government has not developed a mechanism for interaction with the local Muslim community and its leaders, which would create the atmosphere of mutual understanding needed to find a compromise.
The government fails to develop a mechanism for interaction with the Muslim community
By Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Tensions after the protests in Mokh, a town consisting of Muslim and Christian inhabitants, continue in the Adyge District of Georgia. Georgian Muslims have been demanding possession of the old mosque for years. The building was granted to the Lenin Library during the Soviet era and became collapsing over time.
Muslims want the mosque fixed and used for prayers. The authorities of Samtskhe-Javakheti say that Mokh already has a mosque and a church for both Christians and Muslims, so there is no need for a second mosque.
All attempts by the Muslim to explain that the old mosque had had religious value centuries ago have been unsuccessful. On the contrary, the administration has suddenly declared plans to demolish the building and build a new library or another education center.
The Muslim population responded with protests around the half-ruined mosque. Nonetheless, the demolition process has already started. When locals tried to block building equipment and the road to Mokh, the police arrested several people. They were taken to the regional police department, with criminal cases initiated for resisting the police.
Neither the central nor the regional authorities plan to concede. “All citizens are equal before the law,” said Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili at a government session.
“The library construction is acceptable for me, because a library meets the interests of the whole population of Mokh,” added State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Paata Zakareishvili.
Samtskhe-Javakheti Mufti Mamuk Vashakmadze demanded a personal meeting with the prime minister then to explain the value of the mosque to the Muslim population of Georgia. So far, the request has not been fulfilled. After Muslim-populated villages said that would not send their children to school and declared their intentions to block the central Akhalstikhe-Tbilisi Highway, all people detained in Mokh were released, authorities of the region expressed readiness to start talks to find a compromise.
Regional Governor Akakiy Machutadze announce a press conference soon after that and said that the demands of Georgian Muslims were unacceptable. “They insist on beautifying the building of the mufti’s residence. We intend to use the second, operating mosque as a residence,” noted the functionary, warning that the government will not tolerate any pressure.
NGOs and some representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church backed the Mokh residents, urging the administration of the region to take the opinion of the religious minority into account. The problem remains unresolved. It has not been the first religious tension in Samtskhe-Javakheti. There has been similar ballyhoo over demolition of a minaret in Chela. The government has not developed a mechanism for interaction with the local Muslim community and its leaders, which would create the atmosphere of mutual understanding needed to find a compromise.
