The Year of "Islamic Solidarity" in Azerbaijan Against Armenia and Artsakh

• 03.28.2017, 20:32
• Arpine Hovsepyan
•  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  Armenia,  NKR,  Analytics

It is no secret that Azerbaijan tries by all means to use the idea of "Islamic solidarity" only for the sake of its own interests. From this point of view the efforts of Azerbaijan as well as Turkey are directed, in particular, against Armenia and Artsakh. Baku and Ankara try to make the Karabakh conflict a topic for discussions in different Islamic organizations and get anti-Armenian statements.

Moreover, Azerbaijan has created additional chances for itself to work in this direction. 2017 is announced a year of "Islamic solidarity" in Azerbaijan. And in this regard, a wide range of events has been organized that do not serve the real aims of "Islamic solidarity" at all, and are aimed at spreading anti-Armenian sentiments in the Islamic world. In Azerbaijan and beyond its borders every event that takes place under the veil of "Islamic solidarity" turns into a platform for discussion of the Karabakh conflict and the "events" of Khojalu. Moreover, everything possible is being done to get some anti-Armenian statements.

As a result, we witness, how, for example, in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) the Contact Group on Karabakh is being established or how the secretary of the same organization demands from Armenia "to stop the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories."

In May, it is planned to hold the IV Islamic Games in Baku. Delegations from about 50 countries are to arrive in Azerbaijan to take part in the games. One can already state with confidence that the Islamic Games will turn into another platform for Azerbaijan to introduce its "problems" to the Islamic world and make anti-Armenian statements.

Saying that the "Islamic solidarity is the imperative of time" Azerbaijan with the help of Turkey tries to present the Karabakh conflict settlement and the need to confront Armenia as "the main problems of the Islamic world". Baku tries to persuade Muslim countries that they must unite against Armenia and Artsakh, and all for the sake of the "Islamic solidarity". Although Azerbaijan itself most of all betrays the ideas of "Islamic solidarity", developing strategic relations with Israel.

Of course, it is necessary to follow Azerbaijan’s actions in this direction, but the need not to resort to extreme actions, should not be ignored.  On one hand, it is necessary to avoid conclusion that the process has already gone too far, and nothing can be done. On the other hand one should not ignore the process and do nothing. The best way to neutralize the Azerbaijani-Turkish efforts is the deepening of our relations with the Islamic countries. There are lots of examples of Armenia’s close cooperation with Islamic states, beginning with traditional relations (Iran, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, etc.) up to the new directions (for example, United Arab Emirates).

Accordingly, our task is to keep this issue in the focus of our partners, stating the real aims of Azerbaijan. And it should be noted that Armenia’s approach is more than acceptable for Muslim countries. Of course, it is not about countries like Djibouti that is ready to sign every document for the sake of Azerbaijani money.

After all, if it is possible to consolidate on a religious basis, then a question rises: is it normal that Armenia should defend itself alone? The main thing is that Armenia and Artsakh have never considered Karabakh conflict in a religious context, knowing well that this is a road leading to nowhere.