Kurdish official denies rumors of Erbil mosque becoming alcohol shop

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A Kurdish official on Saturday denied recent online claims that a former mosque had been turned into an alcohol shop in the Kurdistan Region's capital city of Erbil.

The statement came after photographs purported to be of the converted mosque were circulated on Kurdish social media sites and were picked up by local Iraqi media, causing some controversy.

Such an act would be seen as blasphemous and extremely offensive by the faithful. Those referring to themselves as "activists" on social network sites suggested that those in charge of the mosque might have been driven to do so because of "financial issues, poverty, destitution, and need."

“Clarification... There were claims that a mosque on Pirde [Altun Kupri] Road has turned to a shop for selling alcohol," read a statement by Nabaz Ismael, the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs.  "We have followed the case, and it was not a mosque, but a restaurant that has been closed for a long time.” 

“It was not a mosque, and no one has prayed there at all,” the statement continued, adding that such “incorrect news is not in the interest of anyone.”

It is not known if the initial claim was made by individuals who truly believed that the former restaurant had indeed once been a mosque, or if it is a case of "trolling," the circulation of photos or information known to be false or misleading to provoke a reaction or cause controversy. 

Editing by John J. Catherine