Religion

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Sayavush Heydarov's interview to APA

- Mr. Sayavush, religious security is one of the main priorities for Azerbaijan today. We want to know your thoughts about this.

-I totally agree with you. Our country is located in such a geographical position where geo-economic and geo-political interests not only collide, I would say that these interests are in a state of open war. Great powers use many means to ensure their interests in the region. Azerbaijan's victory in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev has increased the pressure on our country. You know, the power centers do not want our country, which is rich in natural resources, to be powerful and conduct an independent policy. They support states that are easily controlled and that serve the interests of those centers. Support to Armenia in many issues is related to this. Because Armenia is actually a country that is not independent and acts under the dictates of others. Of course, in such conditions, the issue of religious-ideological security has become the number one issue for us. Religious-ideological security, which is an integral part of our national security, plays the role of a shield against threats from a religious position aimed at Azerbaijan, especially Iran's provocative and disruptive activities.

-By the way, why does Iran, which calls itself Muslim, support Armenia? In your opinion, what is their purpose?

-You know, we should sincerely confess that during its history, Azerbaijan has never been as strong as it is today. Our country has turned into a strong state both politically and economically. As a result of the Patritic war, we liberated our lands from the occupation and we are carrying out construction works there. Iran is definitely not satisfied with the strong and powerful Azerbaijan. Iran has historically been in an insidious position against Azerbaijan. The second issue is related to Iran's exploitation and politicization of religion. Iran uses the religion as a cover to implement its policy. They realize provocation and disruptive activities by using the religion. Would a state sincerely committed to Islamic values support the Armenians who destroyed mosques and killed innocent people in Khojaly? Absolutely not. For 30 years, Armenians have kept pigs and cows in our mosques. Our cemeteries were destroyed. Supporting those who done all of these is totally against Islamic values. I sould note that the stones of the destroyed houses, as well as mosques were sold not only in Armenia, but also in its “dear” neighbour Iran’s markets. All this, of course, is regrettable. While Islam is a source of spiritual perfection and supreme values, Iran, which politicizes this religion, deals the biggest blow to Islam itself. Vast majority of our sons who were martyred in the Second karabakh war were also Muslims. The country, that supports those who martyred so many Muslims, has no right to talk about religion and morality.

-As a result of the operations of law enforcement agencies, members of Iran espionage network were detained. How do you evaluate this event in terms of state-religion relations in our country?

Iran is trying to attack the existing-state of state-religion relations in Azerbaijan. The secular state model of our country, the tradition of coexistence of all religions, including Islamic sects within this model doesn’t meet the interests of Iran. In Azerbaijan, Iran supports the politicization of religion and making it a tool for political processes. And cause any provocations, but as a result of the vigilance of law enforcement agencies, those networks were exposed and neutralized.

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