Azerbaijan, Baku, 25 April / Trend corr. I.Alizade / The chairman of the Parliamentary Commission of Azerbaijan on Human rights believes that there is no need to impose a prohibition on Wahhabism in the country. "Wahhabits are the followers of the Islam religion. The religious activity of Wahhabists cannot be prevented as long as they do not engage in any anti-state operations," Rabiyat Aslanova, Chairman of the standing Parliamentary Commission on Human rights, stated to Trend .
According to Aslanova, the prohibitions in the religious sphere may lead to more negative action. "If people, who are followers of the Islamic religion, commit a crime against the State then they will be detained as a citizen of the country rather than as a religious representative," Aslanov said.
Aslanova believes that there are no, and nor will there be, any religious groups which cause danger to Azerbaijan in the near future. "The State-run Committee on Religious organizations carries out the registration of all religious groups in the country".
The Chairman of the Commission stated that currently around the world the expansion of radical religious tendencies have been observed. "The issue is national and psychological security. Religion is one of the most important issues in Azerbaijan, as well as the protection of political, religious and cultural stability. All the rumors that Azerbaijan is facing problems in the religion sphere are false. There are some forces which are keen to provoke problems in the country and make such statements," Aslanova stated.
The Constitution of the Azerbaijani Republic envisages the freedom of religion, belief and conscience. Each citizen has freedom of belief. "Religious belief of a citizen can only be limited if it contradicts the interest of the country. Religious belief is a personal affair to every citizen. Azerbaijan is a tolerant country and there are broad conditions for each religious group, Aslanova said.
The representatives of different religions have been living in the country equally with the local residents for centuries. Religious disputes have never been observed in Azerbaijan so far, which is one of the main achievements of the country, Aslanova stated.
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