Iran, Russia to revive Persian mosque in Russia

Iran is to help Russia revive and reconstruct the Persidskaya (Persian) Mosque situated in Russia’s Astrakhan.

Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali visited the mosque last week and expressed sadness saying, “It is unfortunate that such a sacred place and the symbol of Iranian culture has been destroyed over the years.”

Iran is willing to help with the renovation and restoration of the mosque, so it will be able to serve the Muslim community nearby, he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the envoy expressed hope that some existing issues concerning the legal properties of the mosque would be resolved soon through intergovernmental negotiations.

Built during the 18th century, the Persidskaya Mosque was made by the Persian Shiite community of Astrakhan which was emerged as a result of the presence of Persians in the region for trade between Iran and Russia.

The brick mosque had first a wooden arch wall and gate but was later rebuilt with stone, part of which still remains.

When the 1917 communist revolution happened, many Iranian merchants left Astrakhan. And later in 1939, the building lost its original function and it was used as a garment factory for several years.

Although the main part of the building has been preserved, the dome and minarets have been destroyed.

MM/FM