GIYASLI, Aghdam District, July 18 — President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today attended the grand reopening of the Giyasli Mosque, a historical monument in the Aghdam district that has been fully restored after suffering extensive damage during decades of occupation.
The President was briefed on the reconstruction process by his aide, Anar Alakbarov.
Originally visited by President Aliyev in May 2021 during a trip to Aghdam, the Giyasli Mosque stood as a symbol of Karabakh’s religious heritage. Like many Islamic sites in the region, the mosque was subjected to severe vandalism during the Armenian occupation. Its roof and domes were completely destroyed, and the building was desecrated and repurposed as a livestock shelter.
Restoration efforts began in 2022, led by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Historical archives and visual documentation were used to ensure the mosque’s original character was preserved. The remaining spiral staircase inside pointed to the prior existence of two minarets on the southern side, which have now been rebuilt in line with traditional mosque architecture.
Stone arches and domes have been reconstructed, tilted columns realigned with precision equipment, and damaged plasterwork repaired. The mihrab — the prayer niche — has been meticulously restored. Exterior stones were chemically cleaned, and old masonry joints carefully treated. Auxiliary structures were also added to the surrounding area.
The Giyasli Mosque was officially listed as a local historical and cultural monument by Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers in 2001.
The reopening marks another milestone in Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to restore its cultural and religious heritage in the liberated territories.
