Azerbaijani Authorities are Afraid of Ashura

• 10.14.2016, 13:25
•  Region,  World

On September 12 the Shia Muslims mark Ashura, commemorateing the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on October 10, 680. For Shi'as, commemoration of Ashura is not a festival, but rather a sad event. Mourners congregate at a Mosque. The Sheikh of the mosque retells the Battle of Karbala to allow the listeners to relief the pain and sorrow endured by Husayn and his family. Participants congregate in public processions for ceremonial chest beating (matham/latmiya) as a demonstration of their devotion to Husayn.

Although Azerbaijan is a Shiite country, public rallies are banned here. According to Oxu.az, the Department of the Caucasus Muslims jointly with the State infrastructures published Fatwa, banning mass rallies on Ashura Day. The Azerbaijani authorities took this step based on the experience of last year, when believers, taking advantage of the Ashura features, tried to hold rallies (Ganja, Nardaran).

It should be noted that in the absence of political alternative and social discontent in Azerbaijan in some parts of the society attempts are made to fight against the authoritarian regime through Islam. But the Baku authorities take tough measures against such protests. A vivid evidence of it are the events that took place in the most religious settlement of Azerbaijan - in Nardaran, in November 2015, when the authorities arrested the Shiite theologian Tale Bagherzde, who had criticized the government, and began special operation there. However, Azerbaijan is taking measures not only against anti-government speeches from distinguished theologians and his followers. In particular, Azerbaijani human rights activists are concerned that the authorities are not tolerant to people who express their religiousness (for example, keep beard). Some analysts have expressed concerns that the policy of the Azerbaijani authorities is to take the public into religious fundamentalism.