The state pays for the work of more than 1000 clerics

Baku / 24.12.18 / Turan: "At present, the religious situation in Azerbaijan is stable, processes and trends are under control," stated by the head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures, MubarizGurbanly, in his article published in today's issue of the official newspaper Azerbaijan.According to him, religious illiteracy, a wrong presentation of ​​Islam, is at the root of the problems arising in this sphere.He also reported that the Fund for the Promotion of Spiritual Values ​​provides financial assistance to more than 1,060 clerics appointed by the Caucasian Muslims Office on a monthly basis.According to Gurbanly, in Soviet times there were only 17 mosques in Azerbaijan, today their number exceeds 2,250.In addition, there are 14 churches, 7 synagogues in the country.

Thirty two non-Islamic (21 Christian, 8 Jewish, 2 Baha'i, 1 Krishna), 877 Islamic communities have been registered in Azerbaijan.It is not clear what Gurbanly means when he says about control over the religious situation.However, human rights organizations claim persecution of religious activists for their beliefs. Of the 150 political prisoners, about 100 are believers.

Gurbanly"s statement on religious stability contrasts with the official version of the law enforcement agencies about the threat of religious radicalism. Thus, according to the official version, it was Islamic radicals who were behind the assassination attempt on the former head of Ganja, ElmarVeliyev, and the subsequent unrest in this city in July 2014, which resulted in the death of two police officers.In connection with these events, about 70 people were arrested.

According to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, religion is separated from the state. In this regard, the question arises how consistent with the principles of a secular state is the provision by the government of material assistance to "governors" of the pro-government Caucasian Muslims Office. -03D06-