Azerbaijan face religious pressure from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Russia

The UN representative pointed out importance of preventing these influences in time otherwise the situation might be tense in Azerbaijan, APA reports.

Mr.Borzotti, however, refused to make public the states that exert religious pressure on Azerbaijan.

Rafig Aliyev, head of the State Committee for Religious Organizations told journalists that Azerbaijan faces religious pressure from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

He said in this connection, the activity of representatives of Turkey-sourced religious movement in Azerbaijan causes concern.

"If our committee had not been established five years ago, religion would have exerted strong influence on social and political processes. The Committee has prevented such cases. 500 mosques have been transferred to the state balance. We appealed to the OSCE and Council of Europe for teaching Islam at religious secondary schools. Of course, I do not mean letting mullahs access to schools. We want educated men with good knowledge of Islam to teach this religion," Aliyev said.

The Committee chairman also said Orthodox culture and Islamic culture will be taught at secondary schools of Russia in the new academic year.