Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to use the invitation and come to the opening of a cathedral mosque in Crimea.
Putin is holding a meeting Thursday with representatives of the Crimean and Sevastopol community via video link. Aider Ismailov, deputy mufti of the Religious Board of Muslims of Crimea, got in touch with the president from the construction site of the cathedral mosque.
"Already in general, the construction is nearing completion. Finishing internal and external works are underway," Ismailov told Putin. He expressed hope that the president will attend the opening of the mosque.
"Thank you for the invitation. I will try to use it. I'll see how my work schedule develops. But this is a milestone event, the opening of the mosque. I will do my best to be there," the president answered.
The mosque is being constructed on the southern elevation of the city, in the area of the Simferopol water storage basin. According to the project, it will consist of two parts: the main building (37x37 m in size) with a 28 m high dome and the courtyard with colonnades and a shadirvan (a place to ablution before performing prayer). The mosque will have four minarets, each - 50 meters in height. Previously, the mosque was scheduled to open in early summer 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was postponed until 2021.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from RIA Novosti