One of earlier closed mosques reopens in Kabardino-Balkaria

One of the five mosques closed by the authorities in August 2004 has reopened in Nalchik, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, in the "Aleksandrovka" dwelling district.

Anzor Shkhanukov has been approved to be the Imam there. The correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" was informed about it at the Spiritual Administration of Moslems (SAM) of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR). The mosque can house some 70-80 persons.

The premise where the mosque is located is an attachment to a multi-storey apartment block. The room was leased as a mosque in 1994 for the period of 20 years. However, in 2004, under the pretext of incorrectly drawn lease contract, the mosque was closed.

On October 5, 2004, 1458 persons filed a complaint against the mosque closing to the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin. An answer was received from the Department of Own Security (DWS) of the KBR's Ministry of Internal Affairs saying that the mosque was closed "because of expiry of the leasing term."

Four more mosques remain closed in various dwelling districts of the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, and their future is unknown. They are already partially destroyed: the window units, doors, etc. have been removed. To reopen the mosques, essential funds need to be invested into repair works, the SAM of the KBR has informed.