Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 196 – Wed 20 Nov 2002

——————————– AZERBAIJAN: A CULTURE OF CONTROL ——————————–

Azerbaijan, which lies south of Russia, east of Armenia, north of Iran and on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, has been famed for its oil springs and natural gas sources since ancient times. The world’s first oil well was drilled just south of the capital Baku in 1848. Azerbaijan came under Soviet control in 1920. The president, Heydar Aliyev, became head of the KGB in Azerbaijan in 1967 and then the head of the Azerbaijani Communist Party in 1969. By 1982 Aliyev was a full member of the Soviet Politburo. He was elected President of Azerbaijan in 1993 and re-elected in 1998.

Like many other former Soviet states, Azerbaijan is today free and democratic. However, a culture of control still exists at all levels. President Aliyev has in recent years publicly declared his commitment to religious freedom, which is clearly guaranteed in the constitution. But for that to be truly implemented, rogue local authority figures need to be reined in and restrictions lifted.

Religious freedom is tempered also by a general undercurrent of hostility towards Christianity, due to its association with Russian imperialism and the conflict with Armenia. Most Christians in Azerbaijan are from the Russian and Armenian minority communities and are either Russian Orthodox or Armenian Apostolic. Ninety percent of Azeris are Muslims, mostly Shia. Despite difficulties and hostility, Azeris are however coming to Christ. Ten years ago there were only around 40 Azeri believers worldwide, whilst today there are some 2000 inside Azerbaijan. (Figures: Operation World)

Under Azerbaijan’s Law on Religion, religious bodies have to be registered with the government in order to have bank accounts and operate as legal entities. The State Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) handles registrations and has extensive and unchecked powers. In August 2001, all religious groups had to re-register with SCWRA for the third time since 1991. This time the procedure was more difficult and restrictive, and less than half the groups previously registered have successfully re-registered. Groups can meet legally without registration, but it is almost impossible to function and they are more vulnerable to harassment by local authorities.

Non-’traditional’ churches frequently report being harassed. Recently, the Baptist church in Baku was for the third time denied permission to retrieve from Customs the 3000 copies of Proverbs in the Azeri language they had legally imported. Another Baptist church in Baku has been threatened with demolition if it is not registered. Other churches report fines, beatings, confiscation of literature, and members losing their employment.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* a change in the attitude of those in authority, from hostility to one of respectful acceptance. Pray especially for Rafik Aliev, the powerful chairman of the SCWRA. ‘For all the kings of the earth belong to God.’ Psalm 47:9

* a commitment from the government to uphold the constitutional religious freedom; pray especially for President Heydar Aliyev.

* grace and wisdom for pastors who are being harassed, for the release of the Christian literature being held in Customs, and for God to protect believers and their places of worship.

‘He (Jesus) will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth.’ Isaiah 42:3b,4a

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— A CULTURE OF CONTROL IN AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is a Central Asian nation on the west coast of the Caspian Sea. Though the constitution offers full religious freedom, a culture of control still exists at all levels in this former Soviet state. Thus the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) has considerable, unchecked power. All religious groups had to re-register with SCWRA in August 2001 and less than half the groups previously registered have successfully re-registered under more restrictive new conditions. Unregistered groups may still operate legally, but find it very difficult to function properly. Non-traditional churches frequently report that they are harassed by local authorities. There needs to be change of attitude amongst authority figures and a commitment to uphold religious freedom in practice.

—————————————————- Previous RLPs may be viewed at http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/ If you downloaded this message from a website or it was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions by sending an empty e-mail to <>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty Prayer List <> —————————————————-

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

— You are currently subscribed to rl-prayer as: To unsubscribe, forward this message to

Related Reading: