This comes after a years-long effort, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia said.

The Kazarovo mosque was built in 1822 on the initiative of a Bukharan merchant and served local Muslims for more than a century before it was closed in 1929 during the Soviet period and converted into a school.

It continued as a school until 2020, when classes moved to a new building and the local Muslim community petitioned for the mosque’s return.

A key argument was an expert assessment confirming the building’s original religious purpose, noting that it contains a mihrab — the niche indicating the direction of Mecca — and is oriented toward the holy city.

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The community now plans major interior renovations and a restoration of the historic exterior, including reinstalling a minaret that was demolished in the 1960s.

Once the work is complete, the building will again serve Muslims in the Kazarovo neighborhood.

Source: muslimnetwork.tv