Azeri Muslims Decry Religious Restrictions
The Republic of Azerbaijan’s Muslims are decrying government restrictions on the publication and distribution of religious materials, a move seen as an attempt by authorities to curtail the growing influence of religious groups in the country.
“We need literature just like anyone else,” Faiq Mustafa of the Lezgi mosque in the capital Baku, told The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).
“We need it even more, in fact, because Islam is such a complicated science.
“Unlike the stereotypical view that we gather in the mosque for a chat, we have to read a great deal to be aware of the Islamic rules for marriage, property, income, and so on.”
The Azeri government has imposed restrictions on the publication of religious materials.
In December 2011, the Azeri parliament introduced legislative amendments to restrict the distribution of religious materials.
The amendments made it a criminal act to import, publish or distribute religious material that has not been approved by a government committee for religious organizations.
Last month, the parliament added that all such data-x-items – audio and video material as well as literature – must carry an official stamp of approval, and confines their sale to government-designated retail outlets.
“Religious literature is at the core of our community’s development,” said Mustafa.
Like much of the ex-Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has witnessed a religious revival since independence in 1991.
The government of President Ilham Aliyev has been facing accusations of tightening controls on the Muslim religion in the country.
In mid-February 2010, the government ordered all state employees to remove Islam-related symbols -– like Quranic verses -- from their offices.
The state also requires all religious communities to register with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations.
Source: OnIslam.net
“We need it even more, in fact, because Islam is such a complicated science.
“Unlike the stereotypical view that we gather in the mosque for a chat, we have to read a great deal to be aware of the Islamic rules for marriage, property, income, and so on.”
The Azeri government has imposed restrictions on the publication of religious materials.
In December 2011, the Azeri parliament introduced legislative amendments to restrict the distribution of religious materials.
The amendments made it a criminal act to import, publish or distribute religious material that has not been approved by a government committee for religious organizations.
Last month, the parliament added that all such data-x-items – audio and video material as well as literature – must carry an official stamp of approval, and confines their sale to government-designated retail outlets.
“Religious literature is at the core of our community’s development,” said Mustafa.
Like much of the ex-Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has witnessed a religious revival since independence in 1991.
The government of President Ilham Aliyev has been facing accusations of tightening controls on the Muslim religion in the country.
In mid-February 2010, the government ordered all state employees to remove Islam-related symbols -– like Quranic verses -- from their offices.
The state also requires all religious communities to register with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations.
Source: OnIslam.net
