Nardaran is a small town located in close proximity to Baku. It is known as the Azerbaijan centre of conservative Islam. Women of the town wear headscarves and are rarely seen on the streets.
Recently, the government imposed a ban on the wearing of hijabs in schools. During this years Ashura ceremony in Nardaran, several thousand villagers protested against the ban. Ashura is a Shia holiday commemorating the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein.
According to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, the villagers chanted slogans and blamed unnamed officials for depriving them of electricity, closing and destroying mosques, and ordering a reduction in the loudness of the Azan, the call to prayer.
Such government behaviour may cause the rise of extremism in the region. It has been criticised by international organisations for oppressing its religious minorities (International Crisis Group, 2010).
But I thought that Azerbaijan is an Islamic country. So why would their government ban the hijab? who called for this ban? Who are the government trying to please? are they trying to please the Westen society?
ReplyDeleteGrace :)
Thanks for this questions Grace. Azerbaijan is officially a secular country. For centuries the main religion was Islam, but during the communist rule they had to secularise and often religion was not allowed... just like in all the other communist countries. There is still a lot of Russian influence in this country. A lot of people speak at least some basic Russian. But I don't really know who they are trying to please. It seems as they are trying to be seen as a part of Europe. I think Turkey did something similar?
ReplyDeleteEverytime I see such mass of people screaming something, I have goose bumps. Crowd could have very strong power and in this particular case I am sure if I was there, I would be scared.
ReplyDeletem.