Əbu Bəkr məscidi

Friday (official) or Abu Bakr Mosque (general) — a mosque built in 1997 in Baku city in honor of Abu Bakr, who was a sahaba and the first caliph.

History

It was built with the support of the Kuwait Charity Society. It is considered the largest Sunni mosque in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani media accuse visitors to the mosque of radicalism and Wahhabism. However, the mosque’s imam Qamət Süleymanov has repeatedly stated that they are not Wahhabi and called this a slander.

On Fridays the mosque is visited by 6 thousand people. Sermons are delivered by the imam Qamət Süleymanov. Arabic language, Quran exegesis, hadith and Islamic creed are taught in the mosque. Iftar meals are opened during Ramadan and Taraweeh prayers are performed.

The mosque has a separate section for women. Near the mosque there is a shop selling Islamic literature, clothing and perfume.

On 17 August 2008 two hand grenades were thrown into the mosque. Two people were killed and 18 people suffered serious bodily injuries as a result of the terror. Among the injured was the mosque’s imam Qamət Süleymanov. The Azerbaijani police announced that the “Forest Brothers” group, led by Ilqar Mollaçıyev, carried out the terrorist act. In October 2008 the Nərimanov district court lifted the ban on visiting the mosque.