TEHRAN – A stone inscription of the Vakil Mosque of Shiraz was reported missing. No exact date of the theft has been reported in the news.

The artifact bearing engravings of verses from the holy surahs of Ikhlas and part of Baqarah was situated on the wall of the main entrance to the mosque. The inscriptions were engraved on a precious jade stone measuring 125x70cm.
“The guard of the mosque was found with his arms and legs tied, after the thieves had already fled,” director of Fars Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department Mohammadreza Bazrgar told the Persian service of Mehr.
He added that the mosque was under the care and guardianship of Fars Endowments and Charity Affairs Department and not the cultural heritage department.
The Vakil Mosque is situated west of the famous Vakil Bazaar. It was built during the Zand dynasty (1750-1779) and covers an area of 8,660 square meters. Both sides of the entrance gate are adorned by magnificent tile-works and arches.
The prayer chamber of the mosque contains 48 similar tall pillars of stone with a beautiful ceiling and a marble mihrab that is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the Zand era.