The participants of the international scientific-practical conference dedicated to the distinguished thinker of the Islamic world, prominent Azerbaijani scholar and theologian-philosopher Sheikh Seyid Yahya Bakuvi Shirvani, held within the framework of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), have arrived in the city of Aghdam.
As reported by AZERTAC's regional correspondent, the scientific-practical conference continued its work in the city of Aghdam. The State Anthem of Azerbaijan was performed at the opening.
Addressing the event, CMB Chairman Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade noted that the Aghdam Friday Mosque was remembered as the "martyr mosque" during the First Karabakh War: "During the occupation, more than 67 mosques and places of worship located in Karabakh were destroyed, and pigs were kept in the Aghdam Mosque. Anti-Islamic inscriptions were even written on the walls of the mosque. This is an insult not only to Azerbaijan's Muslims, but to Muslims throughout the entire world."
The Sheikh-ul-Islam added that under the leadership of our Head of State, life is returning to Karabakh once again, destroyed sites are being rebuilt, and mosques are being restored and constructed.
Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts, emphasised that whereas the city of Aghdam was once characterised as a symbol of destruction and grief — the "Hiroshima of the Caucasus" — today it is becoming a symbol of peace, security and confidence in the future: "Within the framework of the Great Return State Programme, new life is being built on the site of the ruins: mosques are being restored, residential neighbourhoods are being laid out, schools, hospitals, cultural and public facilities are being constructed. This is not only the physical but also the spiritual revival of Karabakh.
In the liberated territories, not only destroyed mosques are being restored — new mosques are also being built. Karabakh is not merely being rebuilt. Its spiritual life is also being revived."
Secretary-General of the International Assembly for the Approximation of Islamic Schools of Thought Hamid Shahriari called in his address for ensuring peace and stability in the region and in the world: "We hope that lasting peace will soon be achieved in the South Caucasus as well."
Turkish religious representative Fatih Mehmet Karaca emphasised that the gathering of the Muslim religious leaders of the Organization of Turkic States is an initiative expressing hope and confidence in the future: "I thank President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for reopening the Aghdam Friday Mosque for worship. The mosque is a symbol; the main issue is the restoration and reconstruction of the history that was destroyed in the region. I thank everyone who has made this possible."
Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan Nuriddin Kholiknazarov expressed satisfaction at the return of the Aghdam Friday Mosque to its congregation, to its Muslims: "On behalf of the Muslims of Uzbekistan, I express my satisfaction that this mosque has returned to its congregation, to its Muslims, and has been reunited with its community in its own land once again. This mosque, this land, has witnessed the tears of many innocent people and was liberated at the cost of the blood of martyrs."
In other addresses, the significance of the event was also highly valued and satisfaction was expressed at the restoration of mosques in the liberated territories.
Prayers were then performed.
The conference participants visited the Aghdam Martyrs' Avenue.

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**09:54**

Today there is revival and return in Karabakh. However, during the occupation, all the homes here were destroyed and the people were driven from the lands of their forefathers.
As reported by AZERTAC's regional correspondent, this was stated by CMB Chairman Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade at the international scientific-practical conference dedicated to Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, held at the Aghdam Friday Mosque.
He emphasised that during the occupation, the Armenians used the minarets of the Aghdam Mosque for military purposes: "Regrettably, during the occupation, more than 67 mosques and places of worship located in Karabakh were destroyed, and pigs were kept in the Aghdam Mosque. Anti-Islamic inscriptions were even written on the walls of the mosque. This is an insult not only to Azerbaijan's Muslims, but to Muslims throughout the entire world."
The Sheikh-ul-Islam added that under the leadership of our Head of State, life is returning to Karabakh once again, destroyed sites are being rebuilt, and mosques are being restored and constructed.