The Demolished Mosque in Tehran had Legal Issues

There are more than 12 Sunni prayer halls in the capital in which public prayers are held daily...

The destroyed Pounak prayer hall. Photo: ncr-iran.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - A few days ago, news was spreading about demolishing a Sunni mosque in Tehran by the government. However, an Iraqi website published an article saying that this prayer hall had some legal issues and had violated municipal laws.

Reported by al-Waie News, in contrast with what the recent news claims, there are numerous Sunni mosques in Iran’s capital, Tehran.

The al-Waie News station interviewed Muhammad Mousavi, an expert on Iran:

"In the released news it was said that this mosque was the only Sunni mosque in Tehran. However this is far from reality, since there are more than 12 Sunni prayer halls in the capital in which public prayers are held daily and also during Friday prayers and Eid holidays.

"It’s needed to indicate that the mentioned prayer hall was destroyed by the municipality not because of religious or tribal issues, but because the building had some legal issues. The building was required to be used for residence and not other activities. Other Sunni mosques have no problems and public prayers are still held in them.

"In fact, the demolished prayer hall had a residential document and according to municipal law in Tehran, it couldn’t be used for any other activities and this is while Tehran municipality had warned them last year.

"Other Sunni mosques have required documents and they haven’t violated any rules, that’s why Sunni worshipers can hold public prayers in them with no problem," said Muhammad Mousavi.