AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The AhlulBayt (a.s.) Scholars Union of Turkey (Ehlader) and the AhlulBayt scholars unions of the Turkish cities of Kars and Igdir, by publishing a joint statement, while criticizing the imposition of hijab restrictions in the educational centers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, called for an end to this practice as soon as possible.
The signatories of this statement, while warning about the consequences of these restrictions, emphasized the need to preserve the brotherly relations of the two nations and to avoid accusing the Ja'fari community.
The text of the statement, which is addressed "to the public opinion," is as follows:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) says, "The believers, in their mutual friendship, mercy, and support for one another, are like a single body; whenever one organ of the body is in pain, the other organs also share in its suffering with sleeplessness and fever."
We, who have the honor of following such a Prophet, wherever we are in the world, consider our religious brothers and sisters in any part of the world as inseparable parts of our own existence, and just as we rejoice in their happiness and joy, we also grieve over their sufferings and difficulties.
Just as we were grieved and mourned by the crimes and oppressions of the Armenians in Karabakh, we also experienced indescribable joy and happiness from the liberation of Karabakh and other Islamic lands at the hands of the heroes, mujahids, and brave men of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who had chests full of faith and courage, and we thanked God Almighty.
But these days, the occurrence of an unfortunate event in those same lands has once again caused deep sorrow for all of us. The restrictions imposed on the hijab in the educational centers of the Republic of Azerbaijan are not only a violation of an Islamic obligation but are also incompatible with the conventional standards of human rights and freedoms.
We, as your brothers in Turkey, who once faced such problems and have bitter experiences of that era in our memory, wish that the people of that beautiful land, before experiencing such sufferings, would witness the end of this unreasonable practice as soon as possible.
We advise the respected officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan to carefully examine the past events and incidents in Turkey, the bitter experiences that were shaped in that era, and the deep regret of those who caused those events.
Many of the girls and teachers who have been harmed today by these restrictions are from the families and children of the same brave men who yesterday fought courageously against the occupying enemy in Karabakh, resisted by sacrificing their blood and lives, and brought the joy and excitement of victory to all of us.
If, God forbid, that land faces similar threats in the future, it will again be the children of these same families and the fathers and brothers of these same girls who will be in the front line of defending the homeland. Therefore, they do not deserve such behaviors and injustices that are being done to them today under any title or justification.
From the first days when these events began, in Turkey as well, naturally, due to the love and sensitivity that different segments have toward the dear and brotherly Azerbaijan, numerous messages of regret and concern have been published.
Of course, as in other matters, in this issue too, some individuals were found who, without observing proper manners and literature, by using unethical and even insulting expressions, revealed their inner hatred and sought to disrupt the friendly and brotherly relations of the two nations. However, such behaviors should not be allowed to overshadow the brotherly comments and advice of the absolute majority of those who have spoken out of love and concern and to cause offense to the officials of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On the contrary, we believe that these remarks should be considered a reflection of brotherly sensitivities and concern about possible negative consequences and should provide a basis for reflection and review.
In this regard, while condemning the behavior of some individuals in our country who, by accusing persons who have shown sensitivity to this issue, have ignored their own status and dignity and gone beyond the bounds of politeness and courtesy, we also strongly condemn the efforts of others who, by exploiting these remarks, seek to use an individual's views and positions as a pretext to accuse the Ja'fari community and expose it to suspicion and accusation.
We consider such an approach far from fairness and chivalry and strongly condemn it. Regardless of what title and status an individual has, his statements do not necessarily express the positions of our school and the community of followers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Also, if a member of this community commits an error or makes an incorrect statement, the responsibility for it lies solely with that person and should not be attributed to our entire community.
We ask God Almighty to grant prosperity, dignity, and victory to the entire Islamic Ummah, especially the two brotherly countries of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey, which share a common destiny in many matters, and their dear nations.
We also hope that the issue that has arisen in the Republic of Azerbaijan will be addressed with foresight, wisdom, and justice and with an approach based on rationality and prudence by the nation and government of this country and will be resolved as soon as possible.
We ask God Almighty to gather all the martyrs of Islam, especially the precious martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the path of liberating Karabakh and our other lands, with the martyrs of Badr, Uhud, and Karbala.
Peace and God's mercy be upon those who walk on the path of guidance.
Joint statement of the AhlulBayt Scholars Union of Turkey (Ehlader), the AhlulBayt (a.s.) Scholars Union of Kars, and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) Scholars Union of Igdir
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