The
majority of Azerbaijan's population adheres to the religion
of Islam. The last years' sociological researches show the
number of people, especially among the youth, who fulfill
religious rites and devotions, is growing in Azerbaijan.
It means that there grows the necessity to create suitable
conditions for the fulfillment of religious and spiritual
needs in their daily life and mainly at work.
It is needed to point that the rights of
the citizens to perform their religious rites or worship
have been regulated by the legislation of Azerbaijan. For
example, according to the law "On freedom of worship"
the citizens have a right to accomplish the religious rites
and ceremonies at home and in the places that are accepted
as holy by religion - in temples and their territories,
the sanctuaries, the cemeteries. Armed Forces Command cannot
interdict soldiers (without the exception case) from the
accomplishment of religious devotions and rites in their
spare time.
Religious rites and devotions in hospitals,
old people's home and nursing home, dormitories and prisons
are accomplished at will of its inhabitants. According to
Article 167 of Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic the
illegal prevention from the accomplishment of religious
rites is punished by penalty in the size from hundred to
five hundred minimum wage units, or by public works for
the period from one hundred and sixty to two hundred and
forty hours, or by corrective labor within a year. In many
cases the law which reflects the right of citizens to perform
religious rites and devotions has lots of deficiencies and
it can cause just discontent of believers.
As can be seen from the law in a number
of cases the right to freely accomplish the religious rites
has been restricted. In regards to providing prayer facilities
for religious employees this question is not stated in law
at all. Usually organizations and enterprises prefer to
solve these problems in the individual order or shut their
eyes at this question.
As a small part of our society the Open
Society Institute - Assistance Foundation unites people
with different world-views. At present several religious
Moslems in our organization work there. We asked the colleagues
and the management to express their opinion about the special
religious accommodations for fulfilling the worship and
rites at work and speak on the influence of religious factors
on the intra-collective relations.
Rovshan Bagirov, Public Relations Director
- Although our office is not provided with
a special prayer room, but there is no obstacle to practice
the religious obligations also. I can't say that the management
is not willing to make religious accommodations. We did
not make a suggestion even. Maybe its solution will be found
if we put this question for discussion.
Personally I don't have any problems with
it. I freely practice my religious obligations. I am praying
in my workplace in due time. It is possible to find another
place too.
The main thing is that I can pray without
detriment to a job and don't meet any obstacle. I did not
want anyone to consider the praying people as additional
burden or as those who give a lot of trouble. In a way,
Namaz is a contact between Allah and me; it is my duty to
Allah.
I didn't want to attract someone's special
attention to this issue. To me ritual prayer is a kind of
demand and as natural as sleeping or eating. Someone is
feeling hungry and goes to eat; someone kneels down before
Allah and prays when the prayer time is on.
Everyone has a right to practice religious obligations and
it is stated in the Constitution and other laws of Azerbaijan.
I think it is necessary to respect people's rights and discriminatory
attitude towards religious people is absolutely unacceptable.
Today there are more than enough people
who characterize Islam as a religion of terrorists. This
negative phenomenon doesn't pass by Azerbaijan and unconstructive
relation to the religious people grows. I don't want name
them but in some state and non-governmental enterprises
the religious employees encounter the difficulties. Their
management doesn't provide them with necessary support and
is indifferent to this issue.
I say it with the confidence, in religious
questions and regarding to religious employees our staff
shows sufficient patience. It also happens because as an
open society institute our organization together with other
countries had implemented a number of projects on freedom
of conscience and in consequence our colleagues inculcated
in themselves tolerance to the religion.
Zaur Suleymanov, a security man
- I do not have any problems with practicing
religious obligations. I am praying in my workplace. 2 of
prayer times sent by Almighty Allah - morning and afternoon
Namaz - fall on my working hours, but I accomplish them
without difficulties. We also have a chance to attend the
mosque on Friday namaz.
Undoubtedly, it is very good to have a
special room for the prayers. The absence of such accommodation
does not trouble men, but it can present some difficulties
to women who pray.
It is really good, if it were a closed
separate place without admittance of outsiders and especially
men. The small in size room - with an area of 2 2 m or 2
3 m is enough.
I am satisfied with intra-collective relations. I have
never heard any harsh words. Just the reverse, my religiousness
makes our relations more lasting and reliable.
Ahmad Mamedzade, an accountant
- Like any person I am free to practice
religion and fulfill the religious rites. At work I pray
in drivers' lounge (or rest-room) and I have never felt
any constraint or born discomfort or irreverent attitude.
My praying does not present any problems at work or in relations
with colleagues. I am satisfied with everything and very
glad that there are no hard work conditions here.
As far as I know in many organizations
announces launch time and it is difficult for employees
to exceed the limits of it, in addition they are always
under observation or so burdened with work that can't find
time for praying. The main problems of religious employees
are connected with the lack of religious accommodation for
fulfillment worship at work. In my opinion, providing employees
with a prayer room is an organizational issue and it must
be solved administratively taking into account the wishes
of all staff.
Regarding the intra-collective relations
I would like to say that religion does not play a substantive
role in this kind of relations and it is not my aim being
guided by religious principles to complicate the relations
with colleagues. However, I prefer the company of religious
people at social events out of work time because I have
common interests with them.
Gulnura Mehdi, "East-East"
Program Coordinator
- I have never heard that my religious
colleagues need a room for prayer. But I would regard it
with favour if there was such a room in our fond. Namaz
is a contact between Allah and a man. I think it is not
so important whether you have proper conditions or not.
Anyhow if a man practices religion he can find a place for
prayer. I think there is more crucial issue. Is a religious
man persecuted because of fulfillment religious rites or
not? The real problem is if man's religious freedom is curtailed
and he/she is before a difficult choice - on the one hand,
there is fear to lose a job and on the other one strong
wish to utter a prayer.
I am Haji (a man who made pilgrimage to
Mecca) daughter and I believe in Allah. Though I don't pray
but I always show respect to people who pray and don't think
that some day my attitude can change. I respect people's
rights and my religious colleagues too. I have never felt
any influence or insincerity from their part.
Regarding the influence of religion on
intra-collective relations I would like to point the following
issue - if man's (men's) religious views don't put pressure
on views of another man (men) and it doesn't turn into propaganda
in that case everything is OK.
Farda Asadov, Executive Director
- In my view, the existence of such kind
of problem in the Open Society Institute's office would
be wrong. To be respectful to religious communities and
persons who observe religious obligations and provide the
freedom of conscience is stated in our general philosophy
and fundamental principles of management, though the rights
of people to perform the religious devotions are not fixed
in our regulations on "The office management".
And if we accept democratic principles of open society in
the true sense of the word then there exists a range of
rights for everybody including religious men, which they
have to require without restraint.
On the other hand, the managers must create
such conditions, which will provide the effectiveness of
work. It is reasonable that I am interested in making such
conditions too. For example, I allow my employees to take
an extended lunch break on Fridays to attend the mosque.
But it doesn't affect the work or does slightly. Generally
they are absolutely free to fulfill the rites at work. As
far as the creation of a special place for the prayers at
an office if there were such a suggestion, I naturally perceive
it. In realty it is in common practice in Muslim countries.
The religious employees in our office are
persons who prove their professionalism and achieve much
success at work. And first of all our respect to them is
formed by these values. Of course, we communicate with them
as with other our colleges and at this time we discuss together
the meaning of life, the role of Islam in it. Sometimes
questions arise from our conversations and the answers of
colleagues become a subject of much controversy. But it
doesn't bring negative influence in our relations.
There are not any restrictions for me relatively
religious dress at work. Women's covered head doesn't interfere
with job. Though I need to study the legislation. I wouldn't
like to act contrary to the Law. As I know women are forbidden
to work in hidjab (head cover for Muslim women) in some
state institutions of Turkey. This issue has raised heated
debates in France as well. On the contrary, I think if the
one believes in something sincerely and must express this
belief by his outward appearance, it cannot be allowed to
impede it.
Namaz, or salah is a Muslim prayer. Usually
it lasts about 10 minutes (except for Friday's afternoon
congregational prayer in the mosque). This should be done
while facing toward Mecca. Muslims are required to pray
formally five times a day - at dawn, midday, afternoon,
evening and night
