Socio-Political Perception Of Shīʿa Islam In Azerbaijan: The Influence Of External Factors

The aim of the article is to reveal the changes in socio-political perception of 
Shīʿa Islam in Azerbaijan by the ruling secular and religious elites, on the one hand, 
and some circles of the society, on the other hand, as well as to highlight the impact of 
external factor on the process. The analysis of state-religious relations, the gradual 
reinforcing of legal regulation of religious activities, and the role of "official Shīʿa 
Islam" in the state-building process are the objectives of the article.
The article argues that the political elite of Azerbaijan, with the support of the religious 
establishment, institutionally employed the notion of "secularized Shīʿa Islam" as a part 
of the official interpretation of "Azerbaijani Islam" in shaping national identity, 
presenting "official Islam" as a key component of the history and culture of the state. 
The government’s autocratic efforts in preventing foreign religious, particularly 
Iranian influence are intended to preserve Alievs' authoritarian regime. However, the 
government failed to completely eradicate the religious and political influence of Iran 
in Azerbaijan. The state's efforts to institutionalize "Azerbaijani Islam" or "traditional 
Islam" and neutralize Iranian religious influence remain one of the most painful issues 
of the authoritarian Azerbaijani regime. There are many circles in Azerbaijani society 
that adhere to the underground interpretation of Iranian Shiite Islam. Accordingly, 
there are different approaches to Shīʿa Islam that are incompatible with each other. A
special contribution of the article is conceptualizing the state’s antagonistic approach 
towards Shīʿa religious and civil activism in the country in the most compelling way.