Dangerous changes | Adjara
Tension between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Adjara
The reason for organizing the expedition was a confrontation on religious grounds between Orthodox Christians and Muslims, which began in 2013 almost simultaneously in different regions of Georgia.
Representatives of leading media outlets from various regions of the Caucasus found themselves in regions where there was a sharp deterioration in inter-ethnic relations between Christians and Muslims – specifically in Adjara and in Meskheti.
For several days, journalists met with representatives of the authorities and non-governmental organizations and the local population.
During the meetings, they learned a lot, listened to various assessments of what was happening. Adjara Muslims said that there are many episodes of violence and falsification of trials.
They were extremely dissatisfied with publications in the Georgian media that local Muslims have allegedly massively converted to Christianity. The Muslim community of Adharma called this a lie and insisted on organizing an open dialogue on this issue and a number of others.
One of the reasons for the confrontation between Christians and Muslims of Adjara was the construction of a new mosque. According to local Muslims, the mosques in Batumi are so small that some mosque-goers sometimes have to pray on the street. Orthodox Christians, for their part, expressed dissatisfaction with the appearance of a new mosque in the region, and drew attention to the increased political and religious influence of Turkey.
A group of journalists from Adjara went to the village of Chela in the Adigen region, where relations between local Muslims and Christians remain extremely tense due to the dismantling of the mosque’s minaret. During the dismantling, clashes occurred between Muslims and law enforcement agencies. Many members of the Muslim community say they were attacked and criminal cases were launched against several residents.
Representatives of the Muslim community said they were being subjected to pressure and persecution on religious grounds. In turn, representatives of the Orthodox community said they would not allow the appearance of a minaret in their region.
In regions where adherents of two different regions live, laws are often established by the majority, rather than the legislation.
Despite the extreme tension between religious communities in Adjara and Samtskhe-Javakheti, neither the authorities nor local administrations did anything to clarify the reasons for the tension and evaluate what was happening. No measures have been taken to resolve the situation.
You can view the expedition’s video blog here.
Expedition participants:
Idrak Abasov, Bizim Yol newspaper, Baku
Ani Areshidze, Green Wave radio, Tbilisi
Edita Badasyan, Caucasian Knot online magazine, Tbilisi
Nino Edilashvili, Georgia Today newspaper, Tbilisi
Anna Muradyan, Hetq.am news agency, Yerevan
Mari Nikuradze, Ftwatch online magazine, Tbilisi
Mubariz Rahimli, Turan news agency, Baku
David Stepanyan, Arminfo news agency, Yerevan
Materials published by the Participants
Caucasus media to study the Chela developments – 9th Channel TV
Journalistic Expedition to investigate religious tensions – Southern Gates newspaper, Akhaltsikhe
Religion, Society and the State – Adjara Television, Batumi
Azərbaycan və Türkiyədən imdad diləyən acarlar – Bizim Yol newspaper, Baku
Yeni təlatümlər ərəfəsində olan Gürcüstan – Bizim Yol newspaper, Baku
Bakı-Tbilisi qatarında biabırçılıq – Bizim Yol newspaper, Baku
Chela village residents have different opinions about minaret restoration – Caucasian Knot online magazine, Tbilisi