Azerbaijan Places New Limits On Choice of Muslim Religious Leaders

Forum 18 reports that Azerbaijan's Parliament (the Milli Mejlis) yesterday adopted two new amendments to the country's Religion Law. The new provisions impact only the Muslim community. An amendment to Article 8 provides that all religious functionaries who lead Islamic places of prayer must be appointed by the Caucasian Muslim Board with approval of the government's executive officials. An amendment to Article 21 requires that: "The performance of religious rituals of the Islamic faith can be carried out only by citizens of Azerbaijan who have received their education in Azerbaijan." The bill now goes to the country's President who has 56 days to sign it or return it to Parliament. Presidential approval is expected quickly.