Do you think mosques should be constructed on Georgia in exchange for the restoration of two Georgian churches on Turkish territory?
Monday, February 13
“Well, I am not well aware of what is going on, on an official level, and what options we have, however I think the most important [thing] is to help our heritage and restore our unique churches. If the Turkish side demands construction of a mosque I see no problem with it. We should make a compromise if it is necessary.”
Levan, student, 19
“I agree with the Patriarchate, who said that the outcome of this problem is to address UNESCO. I do not really welcome the idea of constructing mosques on Georgian territory.”
Tamar, teacher, 41
“As far as I know, Adjarian people are very astonished [about] this fact. They do not know [about] the construction of a mosque in Batumi. The government should take into account peoples’ position and it must do their best to restore Oshki and Ishkhani [monestaries] on Turkish territory. It is our history and Georgians are not [at fault] that [their churches] appeared in other country’s territory all of a sudden.”
Sergo, distributor, 38
“I do not mind if several mosques will be constructed in Georgian regions settled with a Muslim population. I think it is quite normal to have mosques as there are Muslims among ethnic Georgians too”.
David, historian, 43
“Maybe it is a good deal to restore our churches. I think it is acceptable to have several more mosques. As for me, I do not see anything negative in it."
Lali, accountant, 29
"I do not know.”
Natia, Student, 20
“I think that Georgia and Turkey are not in equal position; as lots of mosques function in Georgia without problems, problems regarding restoring two Georgian churches on Turkish territory should not be a problem … However, concretely regarding the question, I think that the survival of Georgian churches in Turkey is currently more important.”
Nino, Journalist, 25
Levan, student, 19
“I agree with the Patriarchate, who said that the outcome of this problem is to address UNESCO. I do not really welcome the idea of constructing mosques on Georgian territory.”
Tamar, teacher, 41
“As far as I know, Adjarian people are very astonished [about] this fact. They do not know [about] the construction of a mosque in Batumi. The government should take into account peoples’ position and it must do their best to restore Oshki and Ishkhani [monestaries] on Turkish territory. It is our history and Georgians are not [at fault] that [their churches] appeared in other country’s territory all of a sudden.”
Sergo, distributor, 38
“I do not mind if several mosques will be constructed in Georgian regions settled with a Muslim population. I think it is quite normal to have mosques as there are Muslims among ethnic Georgians too”.
David, historian, 43
“Maybe it is a good deal to restore our churches. I think it is acceptable to have several more mosques. As for me, I do not see anything negative in it."
Lali, accountant, 29
"I do not know.”
Natia, Student, 20
“I think that Georgia and Turkey are not in equal position; as lots of mosques function in Georgia without problems, problems regarding restoring two Georgian churches on Turkish territory should not be a problem … However, concretely regarding the question, I think that the survival of Georgian churches in Turkey is currently more important.”
Nino, Journalist, 25