Azernews.Az

Wahhabism and other unconventional religious sects are rapidly spreading in Azerbaijani regions, a senior historian says.
The director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences, Yagub Mahmudov, said in parliament last week that the development has turned into a serious threat for the state. "If tough action is not taken against those sects now, it will be impossible to counter them in the future."
Mahmudov said such sects brainwash people very skillfully, making it impossible for citizens joining them to withdraw afterwards. He said unconventional sects, including Wahhabism, should be banned in the country.
The scholar went on to say that a number of foreign countries, including arch-foe Armenia, were interested in the spread of such sects in Azerbaijan. The Armenian lobby has been allocating hefty funds for the purpose.
Mahmudov suggested amending the Law on Freedom of Religious Faith to step up combat against untraditional sects.