President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed the ongoing restoration work at the Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque.

The head of state and the First Lady received detailed briefings on the restoration process. The project is led by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with support from PASHA Holding and involves experts from Austria, Italy, Latvia, and Türkiye.

The Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque, designed by Karbalayi Safikhan Garabaghi in the 19th century, was the first mosque built in Shusha at the request of Govhar Agha, daughter of Ibrahim Khan. During the occupation of Shusha, the mosque suffered significant damage due to Armenian vandalism, including severe harm to the building and its minarets from the fire of Armenian armored vehicles.

During the inspection, officials provided information regarding the acts of vandalism perpetrated by Armenians against the Aşağı Govhar Agha Mosque during the period of Shusha’s occupation. It was noted that the restoration work uncovered various inscriptions on the walls, including a carved cross.

Local and international experts conducted assessments and developed design plans tailored to the mosque's existing condition. Conservation and restoration efforts are being executed in accordance with the mosque's original architectural style. With the participation of foreign specialists, historic decorative elements on the interior surfaces of the domes have been reinforced using the micro-injection method. The minarets have been restored, roof and floor coverings replaced, and other repair works are ongoing. The restoration extends to the madrasa section of the mosque.