Hacı Kayıb Mescidi

Haji Qayib Mosque — a historical-architectural monument built in 1898 and located in Icherisheher.

The mosque was included in the list of locally significant immovable historical and cultural monuments by decision No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 2 August 2001.

After the Soviet occupation, worship in the mosque was discontinued. It is currently used as a residential house.

History

Haji Qayib Mosque was built in 1898 on the order of Haji Qayib at Mirza Mensur, 41 in the Icherisheher area. It is located near the Muhammad Mosque and the building’s main façade faces southwest. The mosque is in the classical style, is one‑storey and has no minaret. On the southeast wall of the façade, on the wall of the portal facing Mirza Mensur Street, there was a stone inscription.

In Azerbaijan, after the Soviet occupation, an official campaign against religion began in 1928. In December of that year, the Azerbaijan Communist Party Central Committee handed over many mosques, churches and synagogues to clubs for educational purposes. If there were 3,000 mosques in Azerbaijan in 1917, the number fell to 1,700 in 1927 and to 17 in 1933. In 1935‑1937 the wall inscriptions and stone plaques of the mosque were destroyed. Its door and window positions were changed. In 1976‑1978 the mosque building was converted into a dwelling and the shape of its inner courtyard was also altered.

After repair and restoration work carried out in 1986‑1988, its façade was given its present classic appearance.

After the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence, the mosque was included in the list of locally significant immovable historical and cultural monuments by decision No. 132 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 2 August 2001.

It is currently used as a residential apartment.