Azerbaijan official calls on mullahs to perform prayers in Azeri
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 February 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijan official calls on mullahs to perform prayers in Azeri, 3 February 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/533144ee13.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 03, 2014
By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service
Azerbaijani parliament speaker Oqtay Asadov
BAKU – Azerbaijani parliament speaker Oqtay Asadov has called on religious clerics in the country to perform their prayers in Azeri, not in Arabic.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on February 3, Asadov said that since all the verses of the Koran have been fully translated into Azeri, it would be better if all the prayers during sermons or events linked to religious services were performed in Azeri to make it easier for people to fully understand the prayer.
But, according to Islamic regulations, all prayers must start with Koranic verses in Arabic – which even in that language have different interpretations – and afterward continue in a native language.
Azerbaijani Mufti Allahshukur Pashazade has not yet responded to Asadov's call.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
