I think most of the widely spread thoughts, concepts, values and deeds in Azerbaijan contradict what the modern world has. I say this not because I now live abroad. I had the same view 20 to 25 years ago when I lived in Azerbaijan.

Many of the thoughts, values and concepts contradicting the modern world came in later with Azerbaijan’s re-Islamisation. When I see highly professional and intellectual people support these contradictory values and thoughts, my hope for the future of our society fades away.

I will give you two examples of recent discussions. 

Seymur Kazimov, one of the best journalists in Azerbaijan, described the Muslim prophet’s cartoons on Charlie Hebdo as insulting. In response to my questions, Erkin Qadirli, one of the best lawyers and politicians in the country, said Mirza Fatali Axundov humiliated mullahs and not religion.   

I will say to Seymur bey write away that a cartoon does not constitute to an insult. But he will view it insulting anyway.  

And I will tell Erkin bey that a mullah, a priest or a rabbi cannot be belittled and Axundov did not do that. What Axundov did was to raise suspicions about Muhammad ben-Abdullah, the founder of Islam who is revered by Muslims. Axundov said all religions are "false and legends”. History showed that he was right.   

You cannot belittle mullahs, priests or rabbis as they are citizens of your country. Human is at the center of modern values. Unlike a substance that is thought to reside in heavens or a historic or mythic personality that lived centuries ago, they (clerics) are our citizens. They live among us, work in churches, synagogues and mosques legally and pay taxes. They are equal before law just like writers, journalists and artists.

Now, how did the West come to the modern, human-centered values? They did so by belittling devine values. The legal definition of this action is blasphemy. 

The humiliation of saints began in France, which is now the target of Islamists. In fact, Italian scholars had earlier attempted to belittle saints. But they did so in the name of science and not law. Europeans had to go through punishments such as immolation and torture to achieve the rights they have now. 

Except for Volter’s "Fanatism or Prophet Muhammad”, all works by representatives of the Enlightenment criticized Christianity. They openely belittled the Church or covertly attacked the very foundations of the Christian faith.  

These actions were punishable in the most cruel way. What Muslims now call ‘insult’ was in fact blasphemy. The way to a secular society goes through blasphemy. To religious people, any suspicious behvavior or criticism is blasphemy.  In today’s world, people in countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia get capital punishment for blasphemy.

In Europe, religion was separated from politics. Religion is no longer a dominant ideology in society. You are free to believe in a faith and worship. You are also free to question a religion (not religious people) and express your suspicions in the media and art. It has taken Europeans centuries to develop these values. So shall they give them up just because of threats by a few African terrorists?