11 November 2016, 14:10

Cathedral Mosque inaugurated in Minsk

MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cut the ribbon to officially open the Cathedral Mosque in Minsk on 11 November, BelTA has learned.

Attending the ceremony were also representatives of the state administration, heads and representatives of religious and cultural public associations, embassies, foreign guests and believers.

The heads of state were shown around the place of worship and made entries in the Distinguished Guests Book at the Cathedral Mosque in Minsk.

“Since ancient times, Belarus has been famous for the traditions of religious tolerance and respect among the people of different religions. In our country mosques have been freely built to provide every Muslim with a place to talk to God. The Cathedral Mosque in Minsk will become a symbol of inter-religious peace, a place to pray for residents and visitors of the Belarusian capital,” runs Alexander Lukashenko's entry in the book.

Lukashenko: Belarus is famous for its religious tolerance and interethnic respect

The head of state stressed that the opening of the Cathedral Mosque in the Belarusian capital city is a landmark event for the Muslim community of the country and for all Belarusian citizens. “Since ancient times, Belarus has been famous for the traditions of religious tolerance and mutual respect between the people of different religious denominations and nationalities. This is our pride, our power, this is the guarantee of our durability,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Erdogan: Cathedral Mosque will symbolize friendship between Belarus and Turkey

“On behalf of the people of Turkey and myself, I thank everyone who has contributed to the construction and opening of the mosque. It will become a symbol of friendship between the people of Belarus and Turkey,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Erdogan hails interethnic peace in Belarus

“Belarus is a country where people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds live in peace and harmony under one roof. Such a diversity is regarded here not as a source of a potential threat but as a beauty, a symbol of wealth and achievement,” the Turkish President stressed.

Opening of new mosque in Minsk viewed as historic event for people of Belarus

The mosque ground-breaking ceremony took place in 1997. The construction had several interruptions and was finally completed in 2016. The final stage of the construction project was financed by Turkey.

Turkey's President attends Friday prayer in Cathedral Mosque in Minsk

The heads of state were shown around the mosque and left an entry in the Distinguished Guests Book. Then the President of Turkey stayed in the mosque to attend the Friday prayer.