Egyptian producer Yasser Muhammad Faraj in Dagestan Derbent started shooting a film about the history of the ancient city and the spread of Islam in Dagestan, a representative of the city administration told TASS on Tuesday.
"The film is aimed at the Arabic-speaking viewer. He has already visited Juma Mosque, which is one of the five most ancient mosques in the world, as well as the ancient cemetery "Kyrhlyar", where 40 companions of the Prophet Muhammad are buried. According to him, he also intends to visit southern Dagestan, we plan to organize his trip to the ancient village of Kurush and to Mount Shalbuzdag (Muslim pilgrimage site - TASS)," the agency's interlocutor said.
Derbent Mayor Khizri Abakarov said that the director arrived in Dagestan last week, but had already managed to shoot more than half of the material.
"According to vice-rector of the Islamic University named after Sheikh Abdul-Afandi in Derbent Sayidmukhammad Gazimagomedov, the director was long written in social networks about the graves of 40 Ashabs of the Prophet Muhammad, which are buried in the Kyrhlyar cemetery in Derbent. And his viewers will be happy to see a film about this unique place," Abakarov wrote on his official Instagram page.
He added that the cemetery is currently being landscaped. "The project of the cemetery was coordinated with the residents of the city and representatives of the Derbent clergy. It involves the paving of existing paths and the laying of several new ones, the installation of curbstones, discreet lighting, watering mini-fountains along the main alleys, as well as a small number of benches for the rest of elderly visitors. At the end of the gallery will be placed a source for ablutions. <...> The most important thing is to preserve the historic appearance of the burial grounds of Kyrhlyar cemetery, to create comfortable conditions for visitors, including those with disabilities," the Mayor of Derbent said.
About Derbent
One of the oldest cities in Russia and the world, Derbent is located on the Caspian Sea coast, in 2015 it celebrated his 2000th anniversary. Settlement on this territory existed more than 5 thousand years ago. In 2003, UNESCO included Naryn-Kala Citadel, an ancient city, including the VIII century Juma Mosque and fortress buildings of Derbent, in the World Heritage List as outstanding monuments of the Sassanid Empire and subsequent cultures. Derbent is now the second largest city in Dagestan with a population of over 120,000 people and an area of 70 square kilometers.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons