Chronicle

1 March

* Annual report on situation with human rights worldwide by the US Department of State indicates at problems with religious rights of citizens in Azerbaijan. The document particularly reads about persecution of members of certain religious groups, including Baptists, Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses and members of Cuma community, by police.

2 March

* Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, head of the Caucasian Moslems Department, said concerning the US Department of State’s criticism regarding violations of religious rights of citizens in Azerbaijan, that the USA itself had numerous problems in that area. “The explosions of mosques are not the violations of the freedom of conscience? The annihilation of peace civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan are not the violations of human rights?”, questions Pashazade. “If they advocate to us, then what is going to happen with our customs”, noted the Sheikh. He denied that the mosque in the Baku airport was going to be destroyed and that state concern AZAL would build another mosque in a different place. According to Pashazade, the destruction of mosques contradicts to the laws of Shariat. The leadership of AZAL therefore gave up the destruction of the airport mosque. According to Pashazade, Ilham Aliyev expressed his support to the leadership of the Caucasian Moslems Department, in this matter.

3 March

* Sabir Hasanli, rector of the Baku Islamic University, charged Rafig Aliyev, the head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, with refusal to register the Heydar mosque, which was built in Mingechevir back in 1998.

5 March

* The SCWRO chairman R.Aliyev rejected charges brought against him by rector of the Baku Islamic University for not registering the Heydar mosque, built in Mingechevir in the honor of Heydar Aliyev. To confirm his loyalty to Heydar Aliyev, the SCWRO chairman reminded that even prior to his appointment to the position of the head of the state committee, he published two books – «Heydar Aliyev and religious and moral values” and “Heydar Aliyev: our religion is our spiritual value”. According to R.Aliyev, if the Heydar mosque was not registered, the operation of its medrese and admission of medrese graduates to the Baku Islamic University, would also be impossible.

7 March

* Scientific dispute of the scientific-research center Dar-ul-Hikmet (House of Wisdom) of the religious community of Cuma mosque in Icherisheher, took place in the Nizami press club.
The dispute was attended by Habiba Fathi, doctor of the French Institute of Central Asian Studies. Fathi spoke on the situation with Moslems in France and answered the questions regarding this matter. This was followed by speeches on a range of issues, particularly religious freedoms in France and international norms on religious freedoms. The participants also discussed the problems with freedom of conscience and worship in Azerbaijan.
Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, imam-camaat of the Cuma mosque in Icherisheher, concluded with saying: “Azerbaijan is integrating into the European law space. This fact makes an urgent issue of studying the experiences of countries, which made serious achievements in fields of human rights, including the study of existing problems. Provided with that, our society would acquire an excellent tradition of finding the methods for resolution of problems long before they occur”.

9 March

* President Ilham Aliyev made a small hadj to Mecca during his official visit of Saudi Arabia.

10 March

* The International Helsinki Federation of Human Rights, which has the observer status under the UN and the Council of Europe, issued a report “Intolerance and Discrimination of Moslems in EU” at the base of situational surveys in 11 EU members. The survey focused at negative attitude to Moslems, and at mass media, which provided biased coverage of events and demonstrated Moslems as “internal enemies”.

The report particularly reads on problems, which occurred in France regarding the law which banned wearing religious symbols in schools, as this led to discrimination against female Moslems. Ilgar Ibrahimoglu, imam-camaat of the Cuma mosque in Icherisheher and leading coordinator of DEVAMM, said concerning the statement of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, that “this statement is very timely. It calls on civil structures of the European countries to take care for the prospects of humankind development. Bans, discrimination and intolerance are what may produce a strong negative impact upon democratic achievements”.

14 March

* An ehsan ceremony in memory of Heydar Aliyev was organized in the central mosque Taza Pir. According to unofficial reports, the ceremony was organized by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on occasion of successful completion of his hadj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

15 March

* A.Pashazade, the head of the Caucasian Moslems Department, considers that murder of Aslan Maskhadov would hardly encourage the settlement of the Chechen conflict. Instead, it may produce a negative impact upon this process.
He considers that the problem could be solved by means of negotiations, rather than murder. He also stressed that murdering of people contradicted to the principles of Islam.

17 March

* Theologian writer and scientist Nariman Gasymoglu receives anonymous calls with threats of shortwork in connection with his speeches in Iman show broadcast on Space TV. “I received open and anonymous threats before as well, but their number increased significantly lately”, said Gasymoglu. The scientist, who is known for liberal views of religion, applied to the law enforcement authorities for the provision of his security .

18 March

* The Moscow Hotel hosted a conference “Sheikhulislamism in the Caucasus: the History and Present”. The event was organized by the Caucasian Moslems Department. It was noted at the conference that Sheikhulislamism was established in the South Caucasus in 1823, after the region was annexed to the tzarist Russia. Even though this institute existed in different forms in Iran and Turkey as well, the tzar regime intended to unite all Moslem communities in one institution to simplify the control over their activity. The Soviet power began to fight against religion in 1922 and eliminated sheikhulislamism, which was however restored two decades ago later. The current sheikhulislam remains in his position since 1980. A separate conference is to be held on occasion of the 25th anniversary of his power.

22 March

* Azeri President Ilham Aliyev received Vatican representative Claudio Guccerotti.

23 March

* The final scientific-practical conference, organized by the FAR CENTER center for economic and political studies, within the project of Religion and Freedom of Worship in Azerbaijan after September 11th Events, has taken place under financial support of the US National Foundation for Supporting Democracy.
The six seminars held within the conference were devoted to such subjects as religious education in Azerbaijan, organization of the protection of religious rights in Azerbaijan, Islam in USA, religious policy in Turkey, alternative military service in Azerbaijan, religious extremism in Azerbaijan, etc.

25 March

* The SCWRO chairman R.Aliyev indicated at the necessity of adoption of a new law on worshipping. The current law was adopted in 1992 and numerous alterations were introduced in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Thus, the law was brought in conformity with the situation of those times. “However, the time has come to create a new law on religion. This opinion is also shared by the Parliament of Azerbaijan – the deputies suggest to reconsider the existing document and make it more accessible and adequate to the current situation. The draft bill will be developed in consideration of the regulations of several international conventions that Azerbaijan acceded to during the last few years”, said Aliyev. He said that CE experts could also contribute into development of the new draft bill. The new law will provide clearer information on publication of religious literature, activity of foreign religious organizations in Azerbaijan, etc.

28 March

* Azeri President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation headed by Ellen Geller, chair of the American Jewish United Distribution Committee. The guest expressed her satisfaction about the high level of tolerance in Azerbaijan and stressed that unlike many other countries it did not have anti-semitism. Azerbaijan could serve an example of friendly relations between Moslems, Christians and Jews.

30 March

* Irshad Hotel hosted a round table on the role of religious communities in fighting human trafficking. The event was organized by the SCWRO jointly with the Temiz Dunya (Clean World) Union of Civil Rights.
Discussions were also attended by representatives of NGOs, state structures and religious communities. Mehriban Zeynalli, chair of Temiz Dunya organization, said that public forces should unite their efforts in combat against human trafficking. She said that this demanded for the use of the authority and opportunities of religious communities. According to Muzaffar Novruzov, head of the Interior Ministry Department for Combat against Human Trafficking, the department discovered 241 persons, involved in human trafficking during six months of last year. Most of them are Azeris. Novruzov noted that criminal proceedings on 18 facts of human trafficking were instituted during the three months of this year. 22 persons were called to the account. Another 124 measures, who were identified as involved into these crimes, are going to be arrested.
Ahmed Shirinov of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted that 1.5 million people, half of them women and children, were falling victims of trafficking every year. He considers that educational activity, protection of trade victims and arrest of criminals were demanded. Activities in the first two directions are at an unsatisfactory level in Azerbaijan.

The representatives of Christian, Jewish and Islamic communities indicated at the necessity of using moral values against the evil. They consider that such problems could be resolved by means of improving social welfare.

* Construction of Catholic church is planned to begin next year in Baku at Nobel avenue, Ofil Ismaylov, head of Roman Catholic community, told journalists. He said work on design of the church, which will be built in European architectural style, is currently in progress. He said that a total of $3 million would be spent for construction. Ismaylov said that Vatican would fund the construction.

The agreement to build Roman Catholic Church was achieved in May 2002 during visit of Pope to Baku. The first Catholic Church was built in Baku in 1912, but it was destroyed by Soviet power in 1930. Two Catholic churches are active in Azerbaijan, since the republic gained its independence

Review

Disturbing tendencies

Following the example of several Moslem countries, religious extremism seems to make effort to develop its sabotage activity in Azerbaijan. In the middle of March, the National Security Ministry of Azerbaijan reported on the results of investigation and trial over a group of persons, charged with the preparation of terrorist acts in Azerbaijan. Six citizens of Azerbaijan were found guilty of plotting terrorist acts, illegal acquisition and storage of explosive substances. They were sentenced to 3 to 14 years in jail.

The group leader Amiraslan Iskenderov was visiting Afghanistan during 2000-2003, where he maintained contacts with terrorist groups. After he returned to Azerbaijan, Iskenderov started planning terrorist acts and began to form a group of followers. He selected young persons from among national minorities. Particularly, Iskenderov’s group was planning explosions in places of work and residence of foreign citizens, and in state institutions. Besides, Iskenderov was recruiting young girls with extremist views for future use as kamikaze terrorists. Iskenderov group members developed a statement addressed to the Government of Azerbaijan and made an ultimatum to the legitimate authorities on behalf of Al Caida Caucasus. Significant amounts of trotyl cartridges, hand grenades, detonators and other explosive substances were confiscated from the group.

However, as soon as the activity of this criminal group was prevented, new disturbing facts of religious extremism were displayed. Theologian scientist Nariman Gasimoglu, known for his modernist views of Islam, was subject to open threats from radical Moslems. The orthodoxies gave a hostile reception to a series of his TV appearances, in which he spoke of introduction of numerous unjustified bans (particularly, obligatory covering of head by women), which were not envisioned in the Koran. Gasimoglu was subjected to open threats of shortwork by persons, who called themselves the representatives of Ahli-Beyt community. This subject was widely covered by Iranian satellite TV channel Sahar-2, which broadcasts in Azeri language. The problem was interpreted as of Gasimoglu offended the feelings of believers and this was angrily apprehended by Shiah Moslems in Azerbaijan.
Fortunately, the threats against Gasimoglu were strongly criticized by various religious institutions of Azerbaijan. For instance, representatives of the CMD, SCWRO and Cuma mosque imam I.Ibrahimoglu expressed their discontent about their matter and indicated that persecution of persons for correct interpretation of Koran did not correspond to the principles of Islam. The threats against N.Gasimoglu were also criticized by Haji Mirannagi, ahund of Soltanali mosque in Baku. Several mass media reported that the religious community of this mosque damned Gasimoglu. The ahund categorically rejected any statements against Gasimoglu at the mosque. The members of Ahli-Beyt community, known for the religious and folklore performances also rejected any threats against Gasimoglu. We hope that the situation with Gasimoglu will be carefully examined by the law enforcement authorities and the investigation will identify who the provocation was organized by. Otherwise, such arbitrariness may led to proliferation of extremism and grow into a wider and threatening scale.

Theologian scientists and believers consolidate their efforts

The end of the month was heralded by the establishment of the Religious Scientific-Public Consultative Council. It was organized by a group of local theologian scientists, heads of several religious communities and NGOs, total of 17 persons. The council was established for the purposes of studying the problems in religious life of Azerbaijan, coordination of the activity of religious communities and experts. Elchin Askerov, the head of the council and director of the Center for Religious Studies, considers that numerous communities were operating separately against the background of a growing number of believers. Askerov believes this sometimes leads to certain jealousy in mutual relations between the followers of various communities. In their attempt to survive on their own, certain communities are oftentimes closely approaching the border, which separates them from undesired influences. This includes influences of political extremists, who attempt to use religion for their own purposes. “We do not desire our believers to be used by such forces”, said Askerov, concerning the establishment of the new structure.

He believes that the majority of problems occurs due to the lack of the appropriate conditions for complete fulfillment of their religious beliefs by the believers. When they stand in protection of their rights, they are called extremists or persons with outdated logics.
Such approaches were exercised in time of discussions over teaching religion in schools and higher schools, and taking pictures of women with covered head for passports. Askerov referred to Russia, where believers won the case – female Moslems were allowed to have photos with covered head in passports, and basics of religion were introduced into curriculum of schools. Askerov believes that consolidated efforts may led to the resolution of numerous problems in Azerbaijan as well. The Council is called to encourage the resolution of these problems.

Role of religion in combating global challenges

In March of this year, Azerbaijan hosted two forums where possible involvement of religious activists in resolution of such global challenges of the contemporary civilization as prevention of AIDS and human trafficking.
These forums were attended by representatives of the Government, local NGOs and international organizations who consider that religious communities could contribute to the resolution of these problems.

Marco Brosotti, UN resident coordinator, considers that Azerbaijan has strong experience in interaction between representatives of various religious confessions and had a great potential for the consolidation of efforts made of religious community in combating against AIDS, human trafficking and other global challenges. Azerbaijan may serve a good example in this area. “Quite unfortunately, people in the Near East and the Balkans cannot get united for resolution of common problems of the humankind”, UN resident coordinator has said.
This means that Azerbaijan is turning into a country where religion is not only an institution of spiritual influence, but also a method of practical resolution of problems.