One significant indication of a people's historical presence in a particular area is the existence of their religious places of worship. As Islam spread across the territory of the former Iravan Khanate—present-day Armenia—beginning in the 7th century, hundreds of mosques and other Islamic religious sites were established there. Each mosque within the territory of the Iravan Khanate, including the city of Iravan, was a remarkable example of architectural craftsmanship. Indeed, some of the rarest examples of Azerbaijani brick architecture originated precisely in Iravan.

The modern Armenian state was established on the historic Azerbaijani territory of the Ravan (Iravan) Khanate. Before its occupation by Tsarist Russia in 1827, the Ravan Khanate was a predominantly Turkic-Muslim polity. At the time of the city's occupation, eight mosques were documented in Iravan. According to the detailed census carried out by Russian historian and statistician Ivan Chopin between 1829 and 1832, eight mosques existed—two within the fortress (Qala) and six in the city itself.

According to statistical data from the Tsarist Russian period in 1902, there were 310 functioning mosques in the Iravan Governorate.

In the Iravan district specifically: the city of Iravan had 7 mosques; Ulukhanli and Boyuk Vedi each had 4; Haji Eylas had 2; and single mosques were recorded in the villages of Hachaparakh, Charbakh, Chilakhanli, Sabunchu, Avshar, Shidli, Yukhari Nejili, Ashaghi Nejili, Shorlu Damirchi, Donguzyan, Gamarli, Alimammad, Shollu Mehmandar, Garagishlag, Sarvanlar, Haji Eylas, Aghamzali, Yamanchali, Garagoyunlu, Jabajali, Bashnali, Garalar, and Garabaghlar.

In Novo-Bayazid district: Huseynguluaghali village had 2 mosques; single mosques were recorded in the villages of Qizilbulag, Qizil kharaba, Yengije, Qaragoyunlu, Aghkilsa, Haji Mukhan, Bijni, Kankan, Garagala, Rahmankand, Boyuk Mazra, and Zod.

In Echmiadzin district: Single mosques were recorded in the villages of Takiye, Naziravan, Ushu, Akarak, Qarachoran, Kalashkand, Argov, Tossuz Hajilar, Ayar, Kolani, Zaviye, Chobankara, Gargabazar, Turkmanli, Qarkhin, Aghjaarkh, Karimarkhi, Molla Badal, Iydali, Janfida, Kheyribayli, Baghzajigh, Yukhari Aghjagala, Mehriban, and Aylanli.  

In Alexandropol district: Single mosques were recorded in the villages of Arjut, Qursali, and Saral.  

In the Daralayaz part of Sharur-Daralayaz district: Single mosques were recorded in the villages of Amaghu, Argaz, Almali, Her-her, and Chiva. 

In the Sheki village of Western Zangezur, there were two mosques; single mosques were recorded in the villages of Aghudi, Vaghudi, Aldara, Arafsa, Gighi, Okhchu, Chayli, Khalaj, Giziljig, Okhdar, Sofulu, Shikhlar, Ajibaj, Urud, and Pusak.

During the Soviet era, while Armenian churches continued to operate, the mosques in Azerbaijani villages were closed. In the city of Iravan, only the Demirbulag mosque remained operational.