Azerbaijani media disseminate groundless speculations on religious issues

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani media disseminated information that a student from Echmiadzin religious seminary was expelled because of visiting Blue Mosque in Yerevan. For verifying such reports, a PanARMENIAN.NET correspondent turned to Holy See St. Echmiadzin Press Service. As reported by Father Gevorg, President of Sevan Religious Seminary, "Students cannot be expelled because of visiting mosques. They study theology and are entitled to visit mosques or religious institutions and temples representing other beliefs. One student was expelled from seminary for indecent conduct."



For receiving further comments, the PanARMENIAN.NET correspondent turned to Blue Mosque press service. This is how person-in-charge for the Mosque Shapur Lotvi commented upon Azerbaijani media reports, "With all responsibility, I deny such information. Blue Mosque is open to everybody regardless nationality and belief. We maintain friendly ties with Armenian clergy, and receive them several times per year. Hence, statements on a seminary student being expelled because of attending mosque is groundless."