Reports about azan ban are false: State commitee

"The State Committee has already expressed its attitude to this issue," Chairman of Azerbaijan State Committee for Religious Associations Hidayat Orujov said.

"I want reiterate that the reports that azan has been banned or will be banned are false. Some people try cause confusion in society and mass media. Azan has always been and will be sounded in Azerbaijan," Orujov said.

"But it is necessary to sound azan without disturbing people. Unfortunately, some persons do not want to obey this principle. It should be admitted that people have been recently disturbed by the azan played out with a loudspeaker. Reciting azan with loudspeakers in some sacred places, mosques located near densely-populated territories, educational institutions and hospitals causes disturbance and casts shadow on the essence of Islam," he said.

"Taking this into account, we talked several times with akhunds and imams of the mosques about it. But the measures did not produce the expected results and made it necessary to solve the problem in the mosques."

"In order to ensure convenience of people, prevent casting shadow on the humane essence of Islam, it was considered expedient to call out azan without loudspeakers. The recommendation given by the State Committee to the mosques concerning azan is based on it. But some “religious” groups try to introduce this recommendation as ban of the azan and use it against the government agencies, particularly the State Committee," he said.

/APA/