The second day of the visit of the diplomatic corps to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan has commenced in Shusha. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing AZERTAC, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, accompanied by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, inspected the construction progress at the New Shusha Mosque.
Aydin Karimov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, briefed the foreign diplomats on the mosque project. It was noted that the foundation of the mosque was laid by President Ilham Aliyev in 2021. The architecture of the mosque is deeply symbolic: its shape represents the number "8," signifying Victory Day (November 8), while its two minarets, each 72 meters high, represent the number "11," denoting the month Shusha was liberated from occupation. This new landmark is set to join the city's historic architectural heritage as a modern spiritual center.
The delegation also visited the Gazanchi Church and the Shusha branch of the National Carpet Museum. The museum building, dating back to the second half of the 19th century, underwent extensive restoration by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation starting in 2021 after being left in a state of disrepair during the occupation. During the visit, it was highlighted that 183 of the 246 original exhibits were evacuated to Baku in February 1992 to protect them from destruction. These historic items, including carpets and archaeological materials from the 18th to 20th centuries, have now returned to Shusha for public display.
Shusha, declared the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, is currently undergoing a massive reconstruction phase following its liberation in the 2020 Patriotic War. The restoration of religious and cultural monuments, including mosques and churches, reflects Azerbaijan's commitment to preserving the diverse heritage of the Garabagh region. These visits by international diplomats serve to provide first-hand insight into the large-scale urban development and heritage restoration projects being implemented by the Azerbaijani government in the liberated territories.
