Wahabbis in Azerbaijan
Michael Totten, one of the others who go to Azerbaijan to speak at the conference on Azerbaijani - American relations, sent me a link to this article at Slate about Wahabbism in this country. It seems that Wahabbis, who support the radical Saudi-version of Islam, are trying to make converts by taking over mosques. Most such mosques have been closed down by the Azerbaijani government, which logically fears Wahabbis, but one remains open.
The one that remains open is the Abu Bakr mosque, located near the center of the country’s capital Baku.
The author of the article, Joshua Kucera, had the opportunity to visit this mosque and to talk to its visitors. Reading his report makes one thing clear; Wahabbism seems to have quite an appeal in Azerbaijan and these Azeris glorify Saudi Arabia, considering it a country in which ‘true Islam’ rules.
“If you go to Saudi Arabia and have nowhere to stay, you can ask any Muslim, and he will let you stay at his house for three days. That’s where you see true Islam,” Meydan, the man who showed Kucera around, said.
Meydan is a typical example of a Muslim living in a developing country who does not know much about the world, but who wants to live as good a life, as holy a life, as he can. Such individuals are easy victims for Wahabbis. It is easy for Wahabbis to pretend to people like Meydan that Wahabbism is true Islam and that life in Saudi Arabia is simply wonderful. Meydan is pious and wants to become more pious… and he does not seem to know a whole lot about the world, nor about (the history of) Islam itself.
Those who know a bit about the historic development of Islam know that Wahabbism is not ‘true Islam’ by any means. It is not ‘true Islam’; it is a mixture of the most strict interpretation of what Islam could mean and ancient tribal practices in Arabia, although especially Saudi Arabia. The Islamic prophet Mohammed tried to break with those practices; Wahabbis have brought them back and reconciled them with an extreme and intolerant version of ‘early Islam’ as they think ‘early Islam’ was, not how it truly was.
According to Kucera approximately 10,000 Azeris visit the Abu Bakr mosque on Fridays. That is a gigantic number for a country the size of Azerbaijan. It shows that Wahabbism seemingly appeals to a terrble lot of Azeris.
Kucera discovered that one of the main reasons that Wahabbism is able to attract so many followers is that the West has failed to live up to its responsibilities in Azerbaijan. Azeris can choose between three directions (for their country): focusin on Russia, on the West, or on the Islamic world. Naturally Azeris are inclined to look at the West also because Russia strongly supports Armenia on the isue of Karabagh (which was invaded by Armenia in the 1990s. The West, however, has lost a great deal of respect, according to Kucera at least, when it supported ‘the deeply flawed election of Ilham Aliyev as president in 2003. As a result, more and more people are turning to Islam—not just as a religion but a political orientation.’
Michael, just want to once again make it clear that I hate you and Totten for going without me.
This is a good article. On (sort of) the flip, I would love it if one of you could report a bit on the Iranian influence in the country. Tensions are often high between the two countries, and it’s believe that Shi’a operative operate in the state for the Islamic Republic.
Kevin; yes, it’s certainly interesting to do some research on that subject.
I’m sorry man; what can I say, I’ll write good reports
And bring Kevin a T-shirt!
The only thing I can tell about the author of the article- ignorant.
1. Neither of the visitors of that mosque claims that they are Wahhabies. They were labeled by those people who never visited that mosque and the only thing they know from the gossips is that the Abu-Bekr Mosque is being attended by long bearded guys in short pants (seems to sound a bit scary). It’s a stereotype developed yet by Russian and other special services to initiate an internal distrust in the Caucasian societies, particularly in the light of the Chechen war. People don’t consider those "others" as "the same", they start thinking that "the other" Muslims represent some terrible sect or something.
2. Most of the visitors of the mosque are highly qualified, well educated (many of them have graduated Western Universities) and believe that Islam is a Way of a tolerance, peace and choice. By the way, many of the worshipers do not have a beard as they believe that "internal beard of wisdom" must grow first rather than the external one.
3. Not all the visitor of the mosque are the "admirers" of Saudi Arabia. Believe me they are quite educated European people and do realize what that country is about and how far it is from their fundamental vision of Islam.
And please, do not share everything just in black and white although it is very easy…