Azerbaijani Jews worried over increasing radical Islamists

[Behind the Aegis]

Last update - 05:28 15/02/2006

By Amiram Barkat

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Azerbaijani Jews are worried over the strengthening of radical Islamists in their small country, and said they feel the anti-Jewish hostility here is growing.

Hundreds of Muslim extremists in Azerbaijan marched toward the French Embassy last Thursday to protest the cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed - the first time Islamic fundamentalists demonstrated in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, in the history of the country. Police stopped the protesters before they reached the embassy.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is visiting Azerbaijan this week to express support for the moderate Muslim country, which until now has taken pride in the lack of anti-Semitism. While 70 percent of the Azerbaijani population are Shi'ite Muslims, and the country borders Iran, Azerbaijani Jews told members of the delegation that until recently they had not felt themselves to be objects of hostility.

Tamila, a 34-year-old Jewish woman who asked that her last name not be published, said her Muslim husband recently asked her not to publicly wear a Jewish star around her neck.

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[Colorado Blue]

1. I'm afraid to think where this may be leading.

There have been incidents in Central Asia as well, in recent years - which is very unusual.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Sadly, you may be right.

Hate, like poison, spreads quickly.