Former MP Etibar Aliyev made a controversial post on social media. He revisited the past, bringing one of the most sensitive moments of Azerbaijani political history back into discussion. The post is related to the views once expressed by the late President Abulfaz Elchibey. These views were voiced in the context of a polemic with the head of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade.
Elchibey's speech was presented as follows in Etibar Aliyev's status update.
“People are offended by what I said to the Sheikh. They say, 'What business do you have with the Sheikh?' I don't understand, Mr. Sheikh, when you were sitting with Alikram Humbatov, and Alikram Humbatov and his people were saying, 'Where did the Turks come from? What kind of Turks are these in Azerbaijan? We are Azerbaijanis, where did they bring this Turkism from? They should get out of here.' When they said that, Your Holiness Sheikh, you were sitting there and watching silently, even nodding your head.
Let's put that aside, Your Holiness Sheikh, what possessed you to give a big interview to a newspaper a month ago, saying that Turks are different, we are different, and even if we are brothers, our pockets are separate? They work for their own benefit. You are a Sheikh, you are speaking evil. You say that there is a picture of Atatürk in the mosque built by Turks here. I sent people there, and they came back and said that there has never been a picture of Atatürk there. You are lying…
Why are you speaking this evil? You are speaking this evil because there should be no picture of Khomeini in the mosque, and instead of removing it – and it absolutely must be removed – you are directing the thought towards the Turkish mosque, towards Atatürk.
What is your goal, my dear? What do you want from this nation..”.
The language of this quote is harsh. It is clear that the core of the dispute lies in the issues of national identity and religious influence. Elchibey did not consider some statements by the religious leader to be in line with national interests. Claims made particularly regarding Turkey and Atatürk caused serious dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, the Iranian factor was also a sensitive issue in the region at that time. In the early years of independence, Azerbaijan faced various geopolitical influences. The state's strategic course had not yet been fully formed. From this perspective, the position of religious institutions also became central to political discussions.
Is it a coincidence that Etibar Aliyev brought this speech back into discussion years later?
Although Elchibey's rhetoric was harsh, his message is clear: there should be no compromise on issues of national interest. He believed that political and geopolitical manipulations should not be allowed from a religious platform.
A status shared on social media carries content that could lead to widespread public discussion.
