Azerbaijani officials, religious figures and media people condemn terror act in Paris

The official Baku and members of religious communities of Azerbaijan have condemned the terror act in Paris. At the same time, Muslim scholars in Azerbaijan express their concern about possible incitement to Islamophobia.

On January 7, a fire was opened in downtown Paris, in the editorial office of the satirical weekly "Charlie Hebdo". The terror attack claimed 12 human lives; other 11 persons were wounded. The French satirical weekly was known for its cartoons depicting, in particular, Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad. Commemoration actions were held on January 8 in many countries.

"Terror acts can in no way be justified. Azerbaijan supports the efforts of the international community in combating terrorism, and contributes to this fight," Khikmet Gadjiev, the spokesman of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said on January 8.

The terror act was also condemned by Shakhin Gasanli, a theologian, the plenipotentiary representative of the Administration of Caucasian Muslims and the Akhund of the Mosque "Meshadi Dadash" in Baku. "Any murder under the guise of protecting anything can't be justified," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Along with that, he stressed that "the red line cannot be crossed in respect of all the prophets." "The publication of caricatures on the Prophet Muhammad cannot be justified by the freedom of speech or expression. However, the attack against the magazine and killing people can not be justified by the desire to defend the Prophet," said Gasanli.

In his opinion, "some terrorist grouping is behind what has happened, whose aim is to stir up hatred against Muslims throughout the Christian world."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.