Religious movements infiltrating Azerbaijan to create network: top official (UPDATE)
By Jamila Babayeva
Various missionary organizations and religious groups, created outside of Azerbaijan and being systematically directed, recently began infiltrating the country, trying to create a network on Azerbaijan's territory.
Head of the Public and Political Issues Department of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Ali Hasanov made the remarks while speaking at a conference, entitled "Freedom of religion, missionary activity and the media", organized by Azerbaijan's Press Council on March 7.
"Azerbaijan is a democratic, legal, secular and unitary state. Religion is separated from the state, and the legal system, systems of management, education, public relations, employment, etc. have a secular character," he said.
He said that at the same time there is a right for freedom of religion, free determination of attitude towards religion, the right to express and disseminate opinion regarding the religion.
Hasanov stressed with regret that Azerbaijan's dynamic development and the stability, civil solidarity, religious and national tolerance environment do not meet the interests of certain groups in the country, as well as forces and certain foreign circles outside of it.
He said some of these organizations and movements attempt to shape public opinion in line with their objectives, strengthen radical tendencies in the country, to obtain opportunity for imposing pressure on the state's legal norms and the managing system.
"The relations between the state and religion in Azerbaijan are regulated by the constitution, relevant laws and on the basis of international conventions, which the country has joined. All processes should take place not through intervention and pressure on the country's secular government system, society's social and legal norms, but within laws," he said.
Hasanov said the representatives of such movements try to achieve their goals through luring citizens into their organizations by various means, subduing citizens to themselves, disseminating radical religious ideas and other similar ways.
Addressing the event, chairman of Azerbaijan's Press Council, Aflatun Amashov said Media plays an important role in the formation of a tolerant environment in Azerbaijan.
Every Azerbaijani citizen has a freedom of conscience and religion, according to the country's legislation, Amashov said. Currently there is a tolerant environment in Azerbaijan, and the media has a great role in this, according to the chairman of Azerbaijan's Press Council.
The Azerbaijani press has always supported the state policy on religious freedom and tolerance, Amashov said.
Amashov stressed that after gaining independence, various sects and religious movements rushed to Azerbaijan and they have recently expanded their activities. "For instance, over $80 billion was spent on the development and spread of Wahhabism that emerged in Saudi Arabia," he said.
The press has been recently frequently referring to 'Nurcu', he noted.
"As is known, there are no facts of pressure or violence against religious sects in Azerbaijan, but we must strive to control the activities of religious groups that pursue policy contradicting our national and religious interests," he said.
The press should form an ideology by combining secular and religious values, according to Amashov.
"Modern media is also committed to these principles. Therefore, there is no problem in this sphere. Azerbaijan's state policy in the sphere of religious freedom has always been supported by the press. Religious tolerance plays an important role in creating stability in any country," Amashov said.