"The naming of the ceremonial hall of the Blue Mosque, located in Yerevan, one of the examples of the ancient historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, after the Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents, is another attempt aimed at distorting historical and cultural identity, disrespect for universal values shared by the whole world and enshrined in international conventions, and a provocation against efforts to form an environment of peace and mutual trust."
Modern.az reports that this was stated in the statement of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
It was noted that the initiative to place a bust in the ceremonial hall of the Blue Mosque raises serious questions about the objective, unbiased attitude of the Armenian side, especially the political leadership of this country, to the original purpose and affiliation of the historical monument:
"These attempts serve to push the historical and cultural identity of the Blue Mosque into the background and present it as a monument belonging to another culture. The protection of historical monuments requires not only ensuring their physical existence, but also respecting their affiliation, original purpose and cultural identity.
The Blue Mosque is an important example of Azerbaijani architecture and religious heritage built in the 18th century during the Iravan Khanate, during the reign of Huseynali Khan. This monument, known in history as the Blue Mosque, Blue Jami and Huseynali Khan Mosque, played an important role in the religious and social life of the Muslim population of Iravan and in the formation of the city's cultural image. Its historical affiliation is directly related to the architectural features of the mosque, the period in which it was built, and the place of the Iravan Khanate in the history of statehood.
During the Soviet rule, religious activities were stopped here, and the building was used for various secular purposes, including as a museum. In 1995, based on an agreement reached between Iran and Armenia, the financing of "reconstruction" works was entrusted to the Iranian side. However, this process cannot be a basis for changing the historical affiliation of the mosque or presenting its original architectural features under the name of another culture. Because the restoration of any cultural heritage sample at the expense of a country's funds is not considered a basis for claiming that it belongs to that country. The historical identity of the Blue Mosque should be evaluated based on the period in which it was built, the Iravan Khanate and the city's connection with the Azerbaijani cultural heritage. Attempts to present the monument as a "Persian mosque", to change its name and historical context serve political purposes, not a scientific-historical approach."
It was also emphasized that the protection of cultural heritage is one of the important principles of international law:
"The 1954 Hague Convention of UNESCO "On the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict" provides for the protection of cultural property during armed conflict, and the prevention of hostile acts, looting and appropriation against them. The 1972 Convention of UNESCO "On the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" establishes the responsibility of states for the identification, protection, preservation and transmission of cultural heritage located in their territories to future generations.
We emphasize with regret that Armenia is once again using the negative practice it applied to mosques in the Karabakh and East Zangazur territories during the occupation. The Azerbaijani people have not forgotten the involvement of a company operating in the Islamic Republic of Iran in the works carried out under the name of repair in the Upper Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha in 2019, and the presentation of it and the Aghdam Juma Mosque as "Persian mosques". We also remember with deep disappointment and bitter regret the destruction, desecration of ancient mosques and places of worship in other occupied territories, and acts of vandalism targeting the religious feelings of our people. Currently, the Azerbaijani state is carrying out the restoration of all religious and cultural monuments in the liberated territories, and is taking consistent measures towards their historical restoration. However, the elimination of physical destruction does not erase the moral traces created by the acts of vandalism committed during the occupation in the historical memory of our people.
We believe that in the matter of protecting cultural heritage samples, unified and objective criteria should be taken as a basis, and their historical affiliation, original architectural features and religious purpose should be respected during their restoration and use. From this point of view, attempts aimed at distorting the historical identity of the Blue Mosque in Yerevan once again bring to the agenda the importance of preserving the same principles everywhere in relation to cultural heritage.
We express our protest against attempts aimed at distorting the historical affiliation of the Blue Mosque and appropriating the cultural and religious heritage of the Azerbaijani people, and call on the Iranian and Armenian sides to respect historical facts and refrain from using religious and cultural monuments for political and ideological purposes."
