ISLAM NOT AN ISSUE IN AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Affirming that “equal conditions” have already been established for all religions in Azerbaijan, Alibayli, a former advisor to the late President Abulfaz Elchibey, maintained that restrictions on “free praying” or police forcing Muslim men to shave their beards “should be considered as a human rights violation” alone.

Arif Yunus, author of “Islam in Azerbaijan”, however, believes that the “Islamic factor” within Azerbaijani society and the country’s political life is growing. Yunus attributes the phenomenon to disillusionment with both democracy and the West.  >>>>>