"Abu Bakir" religious community leader Gamet Suleymanov: "I am not a Wahabite"

When did you start your activity in Azerbaijan?

"Abu Bakir" religious community was registered by the State Committee for Religious Communities in 2002. It was registered by the Justice Ministry in 1998. 18 members of the community represent different sects, including Sunni and Shiite. There are also war veterans among them. We tried to ensure equal representation in our community. We acts in line with the regulations and aims to raise religious awareness and fulfillment of religious rituals.

How many followers do you have in Azerbaijan?

Our followers are those who perform prayer here. There is a big congregation here on Fridays. The people even perform prayer outside the mosque on Fridays. About 7,000-8,000 people on Fridays and 12,000 on holy holidays come here to perform prayer. Our community is not a party. People only come for praying. Majority of the people in the world return to religion. You cannot prevent this process.

There is the representative-akhund of the Caucasian Muslims Office in the Juma mosque where your community sits. However, you activity overshadows the Muslims Office's akhund and the mosque itself. Your mosque is known as "Abu Bakir" mosque.

Well, it is true. Sunnis came to worship here most of all before. Well-to-do men allocate money for repairing the mosque.

The society's reaction to your activity is not unambiguous compared with other religious communities.

This is the result of the propagation of some persons who dislike us. But I assure you the propagation against us will weaken gradually. I believe the people will change their attitude to us. Our community faced false allegations as if we are against the government. If there were any harmful aspects in out activity, they would have banned us.

Your community differs from other communities. For instance, those attending you mosque wear differently.

Some of the people coming here want to follow real Islamic way of life. The tradition of growing beard and short moustache exists in other religions.

You are known as propagator of Wahabism in Azerbaijan. Do you accept that?

I am not a Wahabite. There is not a notion of Wahabism at all. There are Sunnis and radical groups such as Muslim brothers and Hezbollah. People call everyone Wahabite due to lack of religious knowledge.

What is Wahhabism then?

Wahhabism is related to the movement in Saudi Arabia 300 years ago. This movement was named by Mohammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, its leader. It calls Muslims to ask mercy from God only not just from holy places. Wahhab's ideas were sources by Prophet Muhammad (s). Those disagreeing with Wahhab called his followers Wahabites. We do not stand against him but we follow our Prophet not him at all.

It is reported that some of those attending your mosque have been arrested in groups recently...

This has nothing to do with us. You know the ongoing developments in the world have an impact on Azerbaijan. Radicals spread their ideas via the Internet. Those joining them separate from us. We were always against causing conflict between people. We had a great role in preventing spread of radical ideas. We need to be thanked for that. Probably, some of those attending our mosque are on a wrong way. I do not know most of the detained, who called us unbeliever. It would be a gross mistake to search for any relationships between them and us. There are some radical forces in Azerbaijan. There is no need to fear us. Radicalism is all over the world.

Former chief of the State Committee for Religious Communities Rafig Aliyev is said to be close to your community.

It is not true. I am not interested in who attend the mosque. God knows who attend… As concerns Rafig Aliyev, he made quite severe statements against us.

You are also accepted as Sheik by your community members.

It is sign of respect to me. We have a great respect to Sheikulislam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh, he is the Sheik of all the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan is shown as a model to the world for high level religious tolerance.

Well, our country is really a model for religious tolerance. The problem is lack of religious awareness. There is not strict control on religious literature.