Islamism in Azerbaijan: A Rising but Manageable Threat

Islamism, or the political ideology that advocates an Islamic state, has been a negligible movement in Azerbaijan compared to some of the Central Asian Caucasus state's neighbors. Nominally a secular state for nearly 70 years under the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan is home to a population that overwhelmingly identifies itself as Muslim, but these religious adherents largely have abstained from overtly political and militant activities.

But it appears that piety is on the rise in Azerbaijan. Indeed, mosque attendance and construction have increased since the country gained independence in 1991. That year, there were fewer than 40 mosques in Azerbaijan; at present, there are more than 1,700. More important, Islamism also appears to be climbing, as evidenced by increased religious rallies and religious schools.

The reasons for this increase are manifold. Azerbaijan is situated between two traditionally Islamist areas — Iran and Russia's North Caucasus region — that through various groups are attempting to spread their own versions of Islamism throughout the country. With the rise of these groups comes the concern that their members could destabilize the country through radicalism. Radical Islamism may increase in the long term, but Baku will be able to manage the situation through its security apparatus and through political accommodation with nonviolent groups.