It is reported that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has put forward an initiative to commence the construction of 10 new mosques in the country.
Modern.az reports that this information was published by the Turkish publication ODATV. It was noted that the information about the project is based on sources close to the government.
According to journalists, five mosques will be built in regions near the Armenia-Turkey border, and the other five mosques will be constructed in major cities of the country.
According to the publication's claim, the initiative has also been supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Ankara views this as an opportunity to strengthen cultural and religious ties between the two countries.
The article also states that despite approximately 98 percent of the country's population being Christian, Pashinyan welcomed the project, and it is claimed that funds for the construction's financing have already been allocated through Armenia's Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport.
The publication writes that construction is expected to commence in early December. Currently, only one mosque operates in Armenia – the Blue Mosque in Yerevan.
Turkish media presents this step as a gesture by the Armenian government towards openness to cultural diversity and the easing of historical-political tensions.
No official statement has been issued by the Armenian government regarding the matter.
