An excursion for the young of institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to the Religious and Cultural Monument Complex "Ashabi-Kahf Sanctuary" was organized on April 13.
Before the excursion, adviser of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Elvin Ahmadov said that excursions are held according to the Ministry's action plan for 2018.
Ashabi-Kahf Sanctuary is one of the sacred places where people have been visiting for hundreds of years. Every year thousands of pilgrims, tourists and visitors from other regions of Azerbaijan and foreign countries visit here.
It was stressed that for the first time in 1998 restoration and construction work in the sanctuary were carried out by the task and initiative of our national leader Heydar Aliyev. According to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan of August 2, 2001, it is inventoried as historical and cultural monument which was renowned nationally. In 2006, "Ashabi-Kahf Sanctuary" Religious and Cultural Monument Complex was established. In May of the same year the complex was reconstructed. Parking, administrative buildings, guest houses, shops were built here. A drinking water line was laid. There is a garden around the sanctuary.
It was stressed that the sanctuary is a mountain at about 12 kilometers distance from Nakhchivan city. Ashabi-Kahf means "Cave men" in Arabic. In some sources, including the Holy "Koran", there is also information about this place. According to the legend, seven people who escaped from the persecution of the pagan ruler hid in the cave and slept about 300 years there. The legend spread throughout Nakhchivan is almost in this context. Researchers say this holy place is over 3,000 years old. Ashabi-Kahf Mountain is also a natural monument created by God.
The fact that Nakhchivan is the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2018 has increased attention here.
The young people returned from excursion with exciting impressions.