Baku, January 9, AZERTAC

Behind the statement by the U.S. Secretary of State about restrictions on religious freedom in Azerbaijan, there are not religious concerns, but rather a political motive, said Robert Mobili, the chairman of the Albanian-Udi Christian religious community in Azerbaijan, as he was interviewed by AZERTAC.

- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his recent statement, mentioned Azerbaijan in the list of countries where alleged violations of religious freedom take place. Representatives of religious denominations in Azerbaijan have already issued corresponding statements. The American administration has, in fact, become a hostage to its political ambitions and the machinations of the Armenian lobby, portraying it in a blatantly absurd light...

- The inclusion of Azerbaijan in the list of countries requiring scrutiny for possible violations of religious freedom is regrettable. It is a completely unjust and biased approach, evidently driven by political motives. Azerbaijan is known for its centuries-old traditions of multiculturalism. In our country, representatives of various religious denominations live in peace and harmony, freely practicing their religious rituals. This fact can be attested by anyone who has ever been in our country.

I must say that I personally attended discussions at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, where I spoke about religious freedom in Azerbaijan. I invited commission members to come to our country and see the actual situation, to compile a report based on facts rather than someone else's fabrications. It becomes evident that the U.S. accusations are politically motivated. Behind all this stands not only the Armenian lobby but also other anti-Azerbaijani forces.

Azerbaijan is a multi-confessional country where religion and culture have always been respected. In our country, there are mosques, synagogues, and churches, including an Armenian church in the heart of Baku.

In my view, the statement by the U.S. Secretary of State regarding restrictions on religious freedom in Azerbaijan is nothing more than political speculation, hypocrisy hiding not religious concerns but a political motive.

- Accusations from the U.S. inadvertently raise the question: “Who are the judges?” It's challenging to consider the U.S. as the standard for religious tolerance. I would like to hear your opinion on this matter.

- In my view, by making unfounded accusations of religious intolerance and violations of believers' rights, America is trying to settle scores with geopolitical opponents and find a pretext for meddling in their internal affairs. Everyone remembers how Türkiye was targeted in the 2000s. Social surveys in the U.S. indicate glaring instances of discrimination on religious grounds, particularly incidents of Islamophobia. If you remember, during the Trump administration, a travel ban for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries was implemented. Biden has softened this policy, but religious discrimination in the U.S. has been growing year by year. Similar incidents occur in Europe, take France, for example. I can attest to it myself: to enter a synagogue, we had to pass through rows of security, even though it is a house of God. In Azerbaijan, the doors of mosques, churches, and synagogues are always open, and access is completely unimpeded. Therefore, it is disheartening to hear accusations against tolerant Azerbaijan from countries where such sad and offensive incidents targeting the sentiments of believers occur.

- Can you share insights into the state of religious monuments in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan?

- A very relevant, I would say, timely question. Our community undertook a pilgrimage to these monuments. The Muslim heritage was almost wiped off the face of the earth. Monuments of Albanian culture were also in a sad state, with many being destroyed. Armenians used mosques and Albanian temples as barns, essentially using them as stables, and some religious monuments were used as weapon storage. Vandalism and alterations, essentially Armenianization, affected several Albanian monuments, including the Khudavang Monastery Complex in Kalbajar, as well as structures in Hadrut and Lachin. This includes the defacement of crosses on churches and alterations to the interior. By the way, I must emphasize one important fact that vividly demonstrates the attitude of the Azerbaijani state towards religious monuments. During the Patriotic War, the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary was reopened in the village of Nij after extensive renovation. The opening ceremony was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva. The church was renovated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Isn't this a clear demonstration of the respect and care of the Azerbaijani state for religious values?! In my view, the answer is obvious!

- And the last question. Attempts to shift political issues into the realm of inter-religious confrontation have been made before. Fortunately, they have been defused by the wise and thoughtful steps of the Azerbaijani leadership. What dangers do such tendencies pose? Perhaps more efforts are needed with respect to educational initiatives on this issue...

- Yes, you are absolutely right; such attempts have been made before. Their aim is to inject political processes with a religious undertone, thereby influencing people's sentiments to fuel revanchist aspirations. It is evident why such statements from the U.S. authorities are voiced precisely now when Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the verge of signing a peace agreement. Washington and France want to return to a mediating role, but their credibility has already been compromised, and these absurd accusations are unlikely to contribute to strengthening trust. There are clear instances of religious speculation and attempts to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. I will emphasize once again that Azerbaijan is a tolerant, multicultural country where the state as a whole and each citizen individually respects all religions.

Interviewer: Nadiya Gafarova