PRO-WESTERN FORCES BEHIND ANTI-ISLAMIC ARTICLE – AZERI PARTY LEADER

Day.az , Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006

The chairman of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, Haciaga Nuri, has
said that the anti-Islamic article published in an Azeri newspaper
was an insult to all Muslims and he praised the people of Nardaran
outside Baku for having the courage to demonstrate and condemn
their publication. In an interview with an Azeri website, he said
he believed there are "certain forces", including the Zionists and
the Armenians, who are behind these provocation which are aimed
at damaging Azerbaijan’s prestige in the Islamic world. He said
Azerbaijan’s pro-western policy has suffered a defeat and the people
are beginning to realize the values of Islam. The following is the
text of his interview, published on the Day.az web site on 22 November
entitled "Haciaga Nuri: I would say that in this situation the people
of Nardaran have saved our country’s image"; subheadings have been
inserted editorially:

An exclusive interview of Day.az with the chairman of the Islamic
Party of Azerbaijan [IPA] Haciaga Nuri.

[Correspondent] What is your opinion of the situation around the
Sanat newspaper?

[Nuri] What can I say? I never thought some of our journalists could
stoop so low that they would start to abuse their own faith and
the Prophet. I don’t want to name these journalists, but by their
behaviour they have not only insulted all the people, but all Muslims
in general. I don’t think they were alone in their actions. I am
more than sure that there are certain forces, who just cannot come
to terms with Azerbaijan’s growing respect in the Islamic world,
who are behind these reports.

Just imagine, this year alone there have been a number of events of
the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Azerbaijan, our country
has started to play an active part in solving the problems of the
Islamic world, and the Islamic countries, by supporting Azerbaijan
unconditionally, have condemned the Armenian aggression. And, of
course, this could not appease the hostile forces who are using
such provocative methods to damage Azerbaijan’s prestige in the
Islamic world.

To our great regret, the accomplices of these forces in Azerbaijan have
started to help them carry out these sordid plans. The Zionists and
the Armenians have long been preparing a plan to sow discord between
Azerbaijan and the Islamic world. And the recent reports are a part
of these insidious plans. The task of our law-enforcement agencies
now is to find out who the patrons of these provocateurs are. And
this is precisely what we, as an Islamic party, are demanding of
our authorities.

[Correspondent] It is common knowledge that the people of Nardaran
passed a death sentence on the writer of this article, Rafiq Tagi. We
would like to know what you think about this.

Country’s image saved

[Nuri] The people of Nardaran could not have acted any differently in
this situation. They passed a death sentence on the enemies of Islam
and the infidels who have brought shame on the whole of Azerbaijan
in the eyes of the whole world. This blasphemy must be punished. Of
course, I, too, am opposed to such measures. However, the feelings of
the people have been insulted and one can understand them. I believe
that the state and our public should not bow down to these people
and the toughest measures should be used against them. I would say
that in this situation the people of Nardaran have saved our country’s
image. Do you recall how the demonstrations in the Islamic world broke
out after the reports in the Danish press? God forbid that we should
see such demonstrations in relation to Azerbaijan. In other words,
by passing this sentence the people of Nardaran have shown the whole
world that the Muslims of Azerbaijan are themselves incensed by this
article. However, I say again that the state should express its opinion
on this question and punish these provocateurs severely. I believe
we will have to wait some time before we can wipe away this disgrace.

[Correspondent] But what about freedom of speech and opinion? The
writer of these articles has expressed his own opinion on this.

[Nuri] Lately we have loved to speculate on these concepts. But
freedom of speech does not mean that anyone has the right to insult
the feelings of millions of people. Nobody has given anyone such
rights. I believe that clauses should be added to the "Law on the
media" seriously condemning such publications. And tough measures
should be taken against those media which break these rules.

Otherwise, we will learn nothing from all these outrageous things
which have been reported in the media lately.

[Correspondent] But the West, too, won’t stand for such a tough stand
against the media, will it?

Values of Islam override pro-Western policy

[Nuri] I can only say one thing. Beginning with the declaration of
independence, all of Azerbaijan’s foreign and domestic policy has
been coordinated with the West. This policy has suffered a defeat.

The people of Azerbaijan are finally beginning to realize that leaning
on the West for support will not restore its territorial integrity and
will not provide a dignified way of life for our citizens. The people
of Azerbaijan are beginning to realize the values of Islam. This
worries the West and the Zionists who want to sow discord in our
society. And did you know that Azerbaijan has entered the list of
those states which are coming under the control of the Zionists? And
so the Western countries, finding themselves under the protection
of the Zionists, will never agree to the values of Islam triumphing
in Azerbaijan.

[Correspondent] I am sure you are aware that some young writers have
renounced Islam. What is your opinion of this?

[Nuri] What is happening in Azerbaijan today cannot be described
other than as an absurdity. It is not they who have renounced Islam,
but Islam has renounced them. These people have taken the path of
Satan. Well, they themselves chose this path and nobody is planning
to stop them. Besides, there are very few of these people. They are
clearly the same kind of provocateurs as Rafiq Tagi, who by such
dirty deeds, are trying to launder the Zionists’ money.

[Correspondent] Iran’s reaction to these reports was also tough.

What’s your attitude to this?

[Nuri] You know, Iran’s reaction was perfectly justified. After all,
such a base article was published not in some other country, but
in Azerbaijan, which is friendly towards Iran. The whole history
and culture of the Azerbaijani people is linked with Islam. And
the publication of this article in Azerbaijan does not, of course,
cause joy in the Muslim countries. These provocateurs do not realize
what a dangerous game they have dragged Azerbaijan into. Therefore,
it seems to me that the sooner we can get rid of this disgrace, the
better it will be for us. Otherwise the wave of indignation will
not be limited to Iran, but will whip up the whole Islamic world,
which is something I am very much afraid of.