Government orders religious education for university students

The Azerbaijani government plans to introduce mandatory religious education into the university curriculum in an apparent attempt to fight radicalism in the country, writes Austin Clayton for Eurasianet.

At the end of April, Mubariz Gurbanli, the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, announced that starting in 2020 university students will take a class dedicated to Islam and other religions. At a meeting at the Caucasus Muslims Office, where Gurbanli introduced the course, he said that “student will pass exams” at the university level, and that elements involving Islam will be added to the curricula in primary and secondary schools as well. “All the issues are being taken into account, so that students are not misled,” Gurbanli said.

The announcement was greeted with scepticism in Azerbaijan, where many cherish the country’s tradition of secular rule. “Congratulations everyone, we have stepped up one level toward the Middle Ages. They will be teaching mandatory religious courses in school. Good for us,” wrote Elmir Mirzoev, a well-known composer and cultural commentator, on his Facebook page.
Full report on the Eurasianet site