Armenia’s reported mosque plan sparks political debate

YEREVAN, Armenia (MNTV) — Reports in Turkish media claiming that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has approved the construction of 10 mosques across the country have ignited political debate as Yerevan pushes ahead with efforts to normalize relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Haber7 reported that five mosques are planned near the Armenian-Turkish border and the rest in major Armenian cities. Armenian officials have not confirmed the reports.

According to Turkish media, the proposal is backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of a broader effort to ease decades of hostility and reopen channels of cooperation.

The claims come at a sensitive political moment. Pashinyan’s government recently amended the Constitution to remove language viewed by Ankara and Baku as territorial claims, including references to Ottoman-era lands and depictions of Mount Ararat — changes widely seen as steps toward a long-sought peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani lawmaker Jeyhun Mammadov told the Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Musavat that Armenian media had been covering the mosque reports extensively.

He framed the alleged initiative as a sign that Pashinyan is serious about normalizing ties. “If Pashinyan builds mosques, it will be a positive step — a serious change,” he said.

Mammadov added that Armenia has been expanding outreach to several Muslim-majority countries, which could increase the number of Muslim visitors in the coming years. Constructing mosques, he said, would help Armenia present itself as a country respectful of Islamic values.

Armenia has not publicly addressed the claims.

The issue is expected to remain politically sensitive ahead of national elections, where foreign policy and reconciliation efforts are set to dominate the campaign.