DISAPPOINTMENT AT WEST INCREASES IN AZERI SOCIETY, ARIF YUNUSOV SAID
YEREVAN
SEPTEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Today anti-western and first of all
anti-American moods are increasing in Azerbaijan as hope for the
support of the US in solution of Karabakh problem is disappearing.
Arif Yunusov, Head of the Conflictology and Migration Department of
Azerbaijan’s Institute of Peace and Democracy, declared this at the
sitting dedicated to problems of Islam in the Caucasus and Central
Asia held within the framework of the great international forum in
Krynits (Poland).
According to him, simultaneously with the disappointment at west
pro-Vahabist moods are increasing in the Azeri society as the idea of
Vahabists about the solution of the Karabakh conflict by war is
greatly supported by the population.
Arif Yunusov pointed to the presence of certain dualism in issues of
Islam in Azerbaijan. Namely: Azerbaijan’s division into Shiits, which
make 65% of population, and Sunnits making 35%. Besides, in expert’s
opinion, it’s also interesting that the rich layers of the society
gravitate towards the Vahabists and the poor layers to the neighboring
Iran. A.Yunusov expressed anxiety about possible strengthening of
Iran’s positions among adherents of radical Islam in Azerbaijan. In
particular, according to him, weak control on the Azeri-Iranian border
contributes to strengthening of position of Islamic Iran in
Azerbaijan.
Answering the question of Noyan Tapan’s correspondent, what awaits
secular Azerbaijan in the respect of strengthening of radical Islamic
moods, Arif Yunusov said: “We still have 10-15 years. The generation
brought up in the USSR is still playing an active role, but the new
generation is also growing. And if suddenly a war begins in Iran,
thisn together with the Karabakh conflict and Iraqi war will
strengthen anti-American moods in the Azeri society for even more.”