Religion

Religion

Azerbaijani State Committee: Radical opposition, religious extremists directed from a single center

20 September 2016 10:13 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Mubariz Aslanov – APA. Interview with Sayavush Heydarov, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations

Q. There are reports of some of the country’s religion population supporting some oppositional circles on the eve of the referendum. What do you think of this?

A. This attempted image is baseless, because a few days ago Baku-based religious communities issued a joint statement condemning the politicization of religion. State-religion relations are regulated at the highest level in our country and the religious always express their support to the well-devised policy being pursued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Q. What do you think is the main reason setting opposition’s eyes on the religious sphere?

A. In fact, they don’t aim to take care of religious people, nor do they show interest in solving their problems. As usual, radical opposition has not taken this step on its own. You may be surprised to hear, but I do believe that radical opposition and religious extremists are directed from a single center. If you doubt it, just take a look at the recent history of the Middle East. Their purpose is to get in the way of prospering Azerbaijan and to undermine public-political stability in the country. It’s no secret to anyone that Azerbaijan’s independent policy has been bothering many including pro-Armenian circles. Under such circumstances, there are some evil persons who wish Azerbaijan undergoes the same “Middle East scenario.” These persons are manipulated by that center in order to politicize religion. We have repeatedly stressed the inadmissibility of politicizing religion, because the fate is well-known of those countries where this happened. It’s because of politicization of religion that many countries have faced destruction and confrontations that last for centuries.

Q. What do you think the position of people especially religious one should be?

A. I would ask everyone to take a look at the current situation. Circles in clear opposition to each other in terms of political thinking and approach are standing in the same arena today. How come atheists and the religious share the same ideas? A devout believer will never stand by an atheist who disbelieves in God. The purpose is something else, clearly. And the second factor being observed along with politicization of religion is the attempt to achieve religious prevalence in policy. If yesterday’s pro-West politician is chanting religious slogans today, it is already indicative of his lack of character. Seeking to achieve their own political ambitions, these “politicians” fail to understand that they are actually putting to death their own political lines which are already fading out. Azerbaijan’s religious population witnesses the state care being provided to them and condemns those who allow themselves to be manipulated in political games.

Q. What is your view of the chanting of religious slogans in opposition rallies?

A. Those persons who chant religious slogans are radical ones who do not represent Azerbaijan’s religion population in any way. If they voice some religious slogans instead of political ideas in rallies, it means those politicians are desperately in need of help. Having run out of words, these so-called politicians are now trying to exploit people’s moral values. Instead of lowering religion to the level of rally, they need to contemplate if it is alright to cheapen morality this much? I assure you one again that all the attempts to politicize religion or vice versa will end up in failure. Azerbaijan will continue going its way as an exemplary country in all areas including state-religion relations.