BAKU. – Azerbaijan’s clerics are more closely connected with the ayatollahs of Iran, than with Allahshukur Pashazade, the spiritual leader of Caucasus Muslims, Polygon agency of Azerbaijan writes. What is more, the majority of Azerbaijani clerics are guided by the commands given from Iran, and they organize the religious festivals in line with those commands.       

“Naturally, this has caused a serious concern for the Azerbaijani authorities. [And] One of Azerbaijan’s most crucial national security problems is that the Azerbaijanis look for a spiritual leader outside the country, that is, in Iran,” Polygon writes. And that is why it was decided to expand Allahshukur Pashazade’s powers. In addition, the clerics of numerous Azerbaijani mosques will be replaced with new staff, and severe measures will be taken to weaken Iran’s religious influence on Azerbaijan, Polygon writes.