Azerbaijan’s Official Religious Leader: “I Do Not Know What Freedom of Conscience Is”

Peanut Gallery: “As far as the east is from the west“… that’s how far this guy’s thinking is from mine.

Is he a thug, out for himself; or does he actually represent Islamic thinking in an unguarded moment? No way to know… certainly some Islamists think this way.

At any rate, freedom of religion is not coming any time soon to Azerbaijan under this guy’s leadership.

What surprises me is that the West is shocked by his statements. That’s how little we understand the East’s thinking.

Please pray for Christians in Azerbaijan.

Note: here is a link to Open Doors‘ assessment of Azerbaijan- click here. It’s not good.

Azerbaijan’s Official Religious Leader: “I Do Not Know What Freedom of Conscience Is”

BAKU. November 14, 2012

“They say freedom of conscience, freedom of religion. I have been the Sheykh-ul-Islam [formal title of Azerbaijan’s religious leader] for 33 years and still do not know what conscience is. Even till now, I could not figure out the full meaning of the words ‘freedom of conscience’”, said Allahshukur Pashazada, the head of Caucasus Muslims Office.

His controversial revelations came at the international conference titled “Freedom of religion and belief: Legal, political and public aspects” at the Human Rights Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

He later clarified his position by saying that “everyone has his/ her own beliefs, and it is hard to put a name to it”. “It is hard to know what conscience is”, Mr. Pashazada said, adding that he is saddened by the fact that when some positions of “those who sit abroad” and some decisions of leaders in foreign countries contradict the values and laws of Azerbaijan, they criticize Azerbaijan.

“There are limits to everything in the world. Human rights, religious freedom, freedom of conscience have limits too. When those limits are breached – the human rights are violated”.

Responding to criticism of Azerbaijan’s record on rights and freedoms by the international community, he said that the relations between state and religion in Azerbaijan are on a very high level. “During my leadership period in Azerbaijan, especially after the independence, I have seen a lot of change, progress. I think Azerbaijan can be an example of tolerance to the entire world”, said Mr. Pashazada.

Allahshukur Pashazada has led the Caucuses Muslims Office since the Soviet times (a.k.a. as Sheykh-ul-Islam or Grand Mufti). He has been active in praising Azerbaijan’s ruling Aliyev regime and its policies. During his recent trips to the US sponsored by the Azerbaijani government, he met with the US government officials and members of Congress and participated at events where he also promoted the Azerbaijani government’s image.

Azerbaijan’s record on religious freedoms has been a subject of criticism. Reports by international organizations, media and foreign governments, including the US State Department’s annual human rights report, cite serious violations of freedom of worship and persecution of religious communities.

Many see Mr. Pashazada as a loyal agent of the regime, rather than an authentic spiritual leader, whose main task is in enforcing government’s directives on religious affairs.

A recent investigative report by Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that Pashazada’s family owns large business interests in Czech Republic, where other corrupt Azerbaijani oligarchs and ruling Aliyev family also have business holdings. (Azerireport, Radio Liberty)