Azerbaijani experts justify raids against fortunetellers

In Azerbaijan, the business of fortunetellers and magicians prospers on the background of social problems, and the authorities' decision to conduct mass inspections of activities of fortunetellers and magicians is justified. This opinion was voiced by experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". The raids are conducted on a regular basis, and they are mostly finished by preventive conversations, rather than bringing to justice, reports the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Religious Associations.

On August 17, law enforcers questioned Malakhat Gafarova, a resident of the village of Garadjally of the Udjar District, and Sveta Ismayilova, a resident of the Shamakhi District. The fortunetellers were warned about the administrative and criminal liability for illegal activities, reports the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA).

Mubariz Gurbanly, the chief of the SCWRA, has stated the importance of the struggle against fortunetellers and called fortune-telling an element of false religion. However, he says he believes in extrasensory concepts.

According to psychiatrist Azad Isazade, an independent expert in the field of psychology, the activities of fortunetellers prosper on the background of people's hopelessness and ignorance and their faith in miracles.

The expert has noted that TV shows on psychics encourage people to seek help from supernatural forces. Magicians are often engaged in "guessing at the Koran," which considered in Islam as a great sin.

However, the expert does not exclude that a visit to a fortuneteller can bring relief to someone dues to self-suggestion; however, so-called healers, engaged in medical activities, are much more dangerous, and they pose threats to people's health and lives.

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