Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office addresses French President

Baku, December 28 (AzerTAc). Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade has addressed President of France Nicholas Sarkozy and members of the French Senate. The address expresses concern of the region`s believers, as well as Azerbaijani Muslims. "The world history doesn`t consist of only revolutions, wars and scientific and technical achievements; unfortunately, the history also has genocides reflecting the wildest bloody brutalities of the world. Sometimes policy, sometimes religious radicalism pushed people to commit sins and crimes against each other." The most famous expression among Christian postulates is expression of Jesus Christ: Don`t judge, lest you be judged. Unfortunately, the National Assembly of France, considered as a center of European culture, cradle of world democracy, recently passed a very controversial and dangerous decision i.e. steps being done to adopt bill criminalizing denial of `Armenian genocide`. We note unanimously state that the bill, voted by some members of the French National Assembly invoked by the Armenian lobby, is a provocation not directed to strengthen peace and justice but to falsify history and increase hatred. The Caucasus Muslims view this bill as a purposeful provocation directed not only against Turkish Republic but also the whole Turkish world including Azerbaijan. We also expressed our strict protest when France officially recognized alleged Armenian genocide in 2001. And now we view this issue as conflicting ill-intentioned initiative. First of all, the contradiction of this decision is its anti-democratic essence against human rights. It`s directed against freedom of thought, opinion and speech. This decision, conflicting with justice, democracy and principles of humanity, can pave a way to many troubles and disasters. We, as religious figures, consider as a holy duty to inform you beforehand about danger of this instigation. The Great Creator says in Holy Quran: Help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty. Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment (Al-Maeda -2). Danger of this decision is its disastrous consequence because in essence, this issue can turn into cause of conflict between Christians and Muslims. This problem can become integral part of anti-Muslim provocation. This fact of religious fanaticism destroys positive thoughts of millions of people including Muslims about France. Thus, the French Parliament didn`t voice its protest when the Armenian aggressors committed Khojaly suicide in 1992. However, this bloody tragedy of new history has living witnesses, historical and visual evidences. While still waiting for Khojaly`s just assessment, such step of the French Parliament justifies Armenia`s occupation policy and paves a way for new genocides and aggressions. This decision also puts peace process in the Caucasus into danger. Adoption of such decision by one of co-chairs of OSCE Minks Group, which was formed with the aim to settle Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, damages its international ascendancy and destroys our trust on its just position. Such big country as France should take unbiased position to ensure peace and stability in the world. We hope that protests of millions of people will be taken into consideration and the French state will demonstrate the world its dedication to reality and justice ideas and intention to serve peace. As a religious figure, I beforehand feel bitter consequences of such decisions and call on You and Senate members to be on the side of Justice, put an end to these discussions and avoid adoption of the decision.