Head of "Abu-Bekr" Mosque: "We follow the government in the issues which do not contradict to Shariah"

The due statement was made by Gamet Suleymanov, head of the religious community "Abu-Bekr" and Imam of the "Abu-Bekr" Mosque", commenting on the religious situation in Azerbaijan

He said there are several religious communities in Azerbaijan and each of them considers that its propaganda of Islam is correct.

"It is not possible to change anything in Islam, as the roots of what you want to change, are too deep. We just have to try to prevent those communities to feel animosity towards each other. Of course, at times radicals appear among them, but it is necessary to prevent them from expanding their activity", he noted

He said there is a competition among religious communities in Azerbaijan and noted that attacks on his Mosque is due to its popularity among people. He noted that the attendance of the Mosque is increasing day by day.

Asked to comment on the arrests of Islamists, charged with an attempt of coup d'etat and establishment of an Islamic state, he said that his community is against radicalism.

"Those, who are accusing us of radicalism, do not know us and are not informed about our activity. They have never attended our Mosque. We are against radicalism and we struggle against it. Islam, as a religion, is against radicalism. Last year's arrests affected radical Islamists, though at that time those who preached peaceful Islam were also pursued.

He said commenting on the last year announcement of Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Vilayat Eyvazov, which stated that the activity of the "Abu-Bekr" Mosque is not transparent enough and that people attend the Mosque to establish contacts with extremists and terrorist groupings, that this opinion is mistaken.

"There are no radicals in our Mosque. We will never allow radicals to gather in our Mosque", he added.

He also said that radical Islamists do not attend his Mosque as they do not consider his community to be Moslem.

"There were cases when we managed to return radical Islamists to the peaceful path. The correct preaching of Islam meets the interests of both the society and the government".

He noted that his Mosque follow the government in the issues which do not contract the Shariah, as for example, on the issue of wearing hidjab (headscarf).

"We would not agree with the government if it adopts a law which prohibits wearing hidjab in educational establishments. Hidjab is one of the elements of our mentality. We must move forward without forgetting the past"

He said his community maintains good relations with the Caucasus Moslems Department.

"Sometimes we meet with the head of the Caucasus Moslems Department and consult him as with our aqsaqqal (wise man).

He said vahhabism does not exist in Azerbaijan or in the world.

"There are radical movements, which have their own names. Things must be called by their names. Radicalism exists among politicians as well. If a member of any community is a radical, it is not right to regard the whole community as radical", he noted.

He said government representatives speak about existence of vahhabism in the country, aiming to create a negative opinion. Thus, he brought an example of the USA, saying that the powers of that country hide behind Usama Bin Laden's name. According to him, they needs Usama, therefore, it does not want to terminate him.

"During the war in Afganistan, those who fought for their country, were called enemies. After the collapse of the USSR, they were called modjaheds (heros). The USSR leadership also attempted to set up the events of January 20 for combat with Islam extremists".

He said he wants his people to pray to Allah.

"I am for progress but in combination with the past. Europeans have achieved success as they do not forget their past. People must pray to Allah", he concluded.

/Day.Az/