24 October 2015, 13:18
Azerbaijan: participants of events on Day of Ashura demand to stop pressure on Muslims
In Azerbaijan, worship service at the mosques of Shiite Muslims and other events dedicated to the Day of Ashura are held in conditions of enhanced security. Participants of worship service in the village of Nardaran have condemned the dispersal of the procession on the eve of the Day of Ashura and called on to release Muslims from prisons and lift the ban on hijabs in schools.
Day of Ashura is a day of remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein, killed on 10 Muharram 61 AH of the Arab calendar (October 10, 680 AD) in an unequal battle with the forces of Umayyad.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 23, in Ganja, the second most populous city in Azerbaijan, law enforcers stopped a procession of Muslims, and more than 30 of its participants were brought to the police station.
Most of the detainees were released on the same day, reports Akif Geidarli, Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan. He has added that today, in Ganja, policemen have cordoned off the mosque of Shakh Abbas. Meanwhile, Allahshukur Pashazade, Chief of the Caucasus Muslims Department, has denied the information.
The event voiced slogans of political content. In particular, the participants condemned the dispersal of the procession in Ganja. They also voiced the demands to release from prison Movsum Samedov, the leader of the Islamic Party, theologian Abgyul Suleimanov, as well as participants of the protest against the ban on hijabs in schools.
The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared reference material "Persecution of human rights defenders and public activists in Azerbaijan (2014)".
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
