Crimean Moslems are not enabled to restore Selim Mosque in Theodosia

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An ancient mosque converted into a Greek church, at Theodosia
16/07/2009
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An issue of return to the Crimean Moslems the land plot in the Seaside Garden in Theodosia (Kefe ) where was formerly the Selim Mosque was discussed during a sitting of the Crimean government’s commission on return of property to the religious organizations and restorations of their rights on 10 July ın Simferopil. QHA is informed about this by participator of sitting, adviser of the Mufti of Crimean Moslems on interethnical relations Arsen Alchik.

The biggest Mosque in Crimea built by the famous Turkish architect Hoca Sinan in honour of Sultan Selim was demolished in 1883. After then, a Christian church was constructed in this place.

“The Cabinet of Ministries of Ukraine issued its resolution of return of religious buildings to religious communities. Particularly, the resolution stipulates to restoration of three big historical objects: the Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Sevastopil, the St. Michael Cathedral in Kyiv and the Selim Mosque in Theodosia – A. Alchik explained.

He noted from that time the Volodymyr Cathedral in the Chersonese and St. Michael Cathedral in Kyiv were restored and the issue of place of the Crimea’s biggest mosque is not settled.

“It was wanted to erect a monument of Andrew the First-Called, then something more. We are dealing with this problem more than 10 years, we collect and present documents. We apply constantly to the Presidential Office in Crimea and directly to the President but these all issues are hampered” – told adviser.

According to him, it was voiced that, at first, there was Byzantine temple on disputable place, then the Moslem mosque was built on its foundation. After that, the mosque was destroyed and there was built the Christian church demolished in 1930s. At the present, this place stands empty and it is disputable one.

The commission under the Crimea’s Council of Ministries recommended to “abstain from any decisions related to allocation of the land plot on the territory of the Seaside Garden in Theodosia for construction of any temple for the present – till specification of all archaeological, historical and archival materials on given issue”.

Moreover, according to the Arsen Alchik, he put the question concerning absence of documents of entitlement of new-built temples.

“There are about 60 new mosques in Crimea do not have the statement of start-up because nobody meets halfway, everybody hinders and we do not manage to do everything under legislation” – commented Alchik.

By QHA

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