The Juma Mosque (Azerbaijani: Qəbələ Cümə Məscidi; Arabic: مسجد الجمعة (قابالا)) is a mosque and historical architectural monument from the 19th–20th centuries, located in the city of Qabala, Azerbaijan.
The mosque was included in the list of immovable historical and cultural monuments of local significance by the decision No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 2, 2001.
History
Early years
Construction of the Juma Mosque began in 1898.[1]: 107 The mosque was built in the city of Qabala with the help of the local population and under the leadership of master Salam from Shaki.[1]: 168
Soviet occupation
After the Soviet occupation of Azerbaijan, an official campaign against religion began in 1928.[2]: 140 In December of that year, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan handed over many mosques, churches, and synagogues to clubs for educational purposes.[2]: 141 While there were 3,000 mosques in Azerbaijan in 1917, the number had decreased to 1,700 in 1927, 1,369 in 1928, and only 17 by 1933.[2]: 141 [3]
The Juma Mosque of Qabala was closed for worship during this period. All the mosque's property was confiscated, and the religious and scientific books in the building were burned. For a time, court sessions were held in the mosque, and later, it was used as a club.[4] From 1983 to 1985, the Scientific-Restoration Production Department of the Ministry of Culture of the Azerbaijan SSR carried out repair and restoration work on the mosque. After the restoration, the building housed the Qabala District History and Local Lore Museum.[1]: 107
After independence
After Azerbaijan regained its independence, the mosque was included in the list of immovable historical and cultural monuments of local significance by the decision No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 2, 2001.[5]
In 2004, the mosque building was vacated and underwent major renovations. In 2005, it was returned to the faithful for religious use.[4] A registered religious community operates within the mosque.
Architecture
Baked bricks, river stones, and forest wood were used in the construction of the mosque.[1]: 107 The wooden materials for the mosque's interior and the roof covering were sent by the famous philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev to support its construction. Haji Mahammad, a philanthropist from Qabala, also helped raise the necessary funds for the mosque's construction. The Transcaucasian Spiritual Administration also contributed to the construction. The mosque's interior measures 42 by 20 m (138 by 66 ft). It does not have a dome, and its minaret is round and made of baked brick. The dome of the minaret is covered with white metal sheets and has an octagonal shape. The roof of the mosque is also covered with white metal sheets.[1]: 107 The mosque was opened for public use in 1906.[4]
^ abcAzərbaycanın seçilmiş İslam abidələri(PDF) (in Azerbaijani). Bakı: Dini Qurumlarla İş Üzrə Dövlət Komitəsi. 2015. p. 128. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
