Azernews.Az

Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a leading Iranian conservative and pro-government cleric, has threatened the Azerbaijani authorities, claiming Shia mosques are being demolished in Baku.
Speaking in the town of Qum Wednesday, Shirazi alleged that a number of Azerbaijani citizens had complained to him over this.
"News have lately come from Azerbaijan saying that the authorities are taking down Shia mosques and intend to demolish other mosques as well," he claimed. "We have sent a formal message to the Azerbaijani government in this regard, noting we are hopeful this will be done away with."
Shirazi noted that Azerbaijan is the world’s second Shia country, with 90 percent of its population being Shiites. Nonetheless, Zionitsts and Wahabis have joined effort to wage subversive struggle against the Shiites, he maintained.
"Now they have taken on mosques. We are openly stating that if the destruction of mosques continues in Azerbaijan, we will order to show resistance. We are also stating that those who die for this sake will be considered martyrs."
Shirazi said Iranian believers do not deem diplomatic relations between governments as important.
"The Azerbaijani authorities should know that the Shiites are awaiting an order from religious scholars, and, whatever this order is, they will fulfil it.
"We have not yet issued any orders to that end. But if no changes are seen on the issue in question, we will do so. If would be better for you not to be cohorts of the Wahabis and Jews and not to harm the stability of your own country. Otherwise, nothing good awaits you in the future."*