MP: Activation of radical Islamic community in Azerbaijan is impossible

Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 14 / Trend T.Hajiyev /

Revitalization of any radical Islamic circles in Azerbaijan is impossible, MP Aydin Mirzazade, told Trend on Friday.

"The society's activity in this issue, related to the religious radicalism, prevents it," Mirzazade said.

Mirzazade said Azerbaijan is a democratic country, and propaganda of any ideologies and ideas that are not prohibited by law and a commitment to them is normal.

"Today, mosques and religious communities are freely functioning in Azerbaijan. The religious propaganda is conducted within the framework of education and spiritual enlightenment in the media. Religious servants are people who are in the public eye," he said.

Azerbaijan is a country that is committed to its religious and spiritual values. But, in addition, it is also a society gravitating to the world's values and modernization, Mirzazade said.

He said it is incorrect to use the word "Islam" with word "radical."

"If someone tries to abuse the Islamic values, then it is not a religion. I call it anti-Islam. Islam is a delicate religion generated by spiritual principles, relations of people to each other and to nature. It has got one name and it is Islam. It seems that attempts to call it "radical" or "liberal" are artificial ideas. In this respect, I think that Azerbaijan records the process of normal civilized development and one can engage in ideas and ideology that are not prohibited by the country's law. The state can not exert any pressure on this matter," Mirzazade said.

Mirzazade said if someone had trouble with the law, it is advisable to look for it not in his views, but in actions.

"The prosecutor's office reported that the country's law enforcement agencies arrested the leader of the illegal party Movsum Samedov due to disclosure of weapons on him and his family. This group is very small, and its influence on political processes may be limited to only a few performances. I link Samedov's arrest with possession of illegal weapons and attempts to riot," Mirzazade said.

He said this group's relations with the foreign forces will be identified only in further investigation.

"One can speak about some links with foreign forces only after it is revealed by the investigation. Azerbaijan is an open society and state integrating into the global community. In this respect, of course, the outside tries to influence and even some may try to forcedly import their alien trends into the country. But the 20-year experience of independence showed that Azerbaijan is steadfast in the chosen path. No one can take away its right to build the rule of law and use its national and spiritual values," he said.

Illegal Islamic Party of Azerbaijan (IPA) chairman Movsum Samedov and his relatives were arrested several days ago. Weapons and ammunition were found at the store owned by Samedov and at homes of his relatives.