State Agency for Religious Issues Condemns Adigeni Incident
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, March 11, 2024
On March 8, a religious conflict erupted in Adigeni, Georgia. Dozens of people gathered in Adigen township, preventing Muslims from praying. The Batumelebi publication released a video from the location, showing citizens, including clergymen, gathered near a house. In the video, they verbally abuse the resident and demand that he leave.
The State Agency for Religious Issues issued a statement regarding the developments in Adigeni. In the statement, the Agency condemns the use of religion and belief for narrow interests. It also calls on Muslim and Christian religious leaders not to follow the provocation and to work within their congregations to prevent the tension surrounding the incident from spreading further.
"For the Agency, any deliberate destruction is unacceptable, and it condemns the use of religion and belief for narrow interests. The agency does not welcome violence and hopes that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible. Freedom of religion and belief is protected in Georgia, and this has been repeatedly acknowledged by high-ranking individuals working on religious issues in Georgia's partner countries.
The agency urges all parties to demonstrate common sense and act in accordance with Georgia's interests and legislation. Additionally, it calls on Muslim and Christian religious leaders not to be provoked and to work within their congregations to prevent the tension surrounding the incident from spreading further.
The State Agency for Religious Issues maintains systematic communication with the local government, and its regional coordinator is actively involved in the mentioned issue. The agency calls on political entities to refrain from making provocative statements, to demonstrate high civic responsibility, and to act in accordance with the principles of secularism," the statement reads.
According to the State Agency for Religious Issues, they were actively involved in the case from the very beginning, and in the future, they are ready to act within their competence to protect the interests of all religious denominations.
