Is there a danger of religious extremism in Azerbaijan?

Baku/10.08.22/Turan: In the month of Muharram, which is considered one of the holy months of Muslims, as well as being a month of mourning for Shiites, there is an activation of radical believers directed against Azerbaijan both in the country and abroad. On August 4, the embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was attacked by the radical religious group "Union of Mahdi Servants" (Khuddam al-Mahdi).

Shortly before this event, some processes were implicitly taking place in Azerbaijan. This is evidenced by: the opening of a fake profile in the name of Haji Shahin; a ban on entry to some places for people in shorts; distribution of a video clip with a certain Yevlakh teacher who performs marsiya (religious chants) to his students; the appearance on social networks of video footage of a woman in a hijab writing religious slogans on the walls and making statements.

By the way, the radicals from the “Mahdi Servants Union”, who attacked the Azerbaijani embassy in the UK, also stated that they took such a step because of the pressure exerted on a believer named Shahla. It is assumed that this is Shahla, the woman in the hijab who wrote religious slogans on the walls.

Also, photos and videos from the Ashura ceremony, which took place two days ago, became the subject of discussion on social networks.

Many experts say that there is a danger of religious extremism in Azerbaijan. And using this threat, other countries threaten Azerbaijan, this time using radical Shiites.

How true is this? Is there a danger of religious extremism in Azerbaijan?

Political commentator Zardusht Alizade answers these and other questions in the m "Difficult Question" program.

According to him, the source of extremism in Azerbaijan is in the upper echelons of power. “The main responsibility always lies with the authorities. Power directs society, the people. Since the opportunities and resources possessed by the authorities are many times greater than the capabilities of individuals, groups of people and even the people,” he noted, further emphasizing that extremism is the theory and practice of achieving goals through the use of force prohibited by law, violence, infringement on rights and freedoms person and citizen.

“Does the Azerbaijani government in its activities comply with the laws, comply with the Constitution, electoral rights of citizens, the right to conduct free and transparent elections? Is it accountable to the people? Do law enforcement agencies treat citizens with respect? And what is the attitude of the government towards monopoly? This is an illegal extremist position. It forces people to take a more radical position, break into a shout and call the authorities swear words,” Alizade said.

The source of extremism in Azerbaijan is the indifferent, insulting attitude of the authorities to the people, to society. It is this that leads to the undermining of political stability, the political scientist claims.