Azeri official critical of chief cleric’s plans to start political career

Assa-Irada, Baku
16 Dec 04

Baku, 16 December: The state has reacted sharply to a recent statement
by the chairman of the Board of the Muslims of the Caucasus, Allahsukur
Pasazada, saying that he will be actively involved in politics. Rafiq
Aliyev, head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Structures,
told our Assa-Irada correspondent that the sheikh ul-Islam’s idea
to be involved in politics contradicts the country’s constitution
and legislation.

He said that according to the current legislation, religion is
separated from the state in Azerbaijan. In addition, the law on freedom
of conscience also bans religious figures from involvement in politics.

Rafiq Aliyev recalled the recent past and said that the establishment
of a democratic, civil and independent state was one of the main
principles of the late President Heydar Aliyev. People involved in
religious activities cannot be involved in politics, nor can they stand
in elections to legislative bodies. I suppose that the leadership of
the Board of the Muslims of the Caucasus is aware of all this.

However, in order to be like Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin or
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, it is not enough just to wish this. This
wish should also be in line with the requirements of the law.