Religion. The vast majority of people in Turkmenistan are Muslim, mostly Sunni of the Ḥanafī school. Islam among the Turkmens has a notable tradition of being tempered and infused with folk practices and traditions.

Those who followed the Prophet’s closest companion (Abu Bakr) became known as Sunni (the followers of the Prophet’s example – Sunnah). Those who followed the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law (‘Ali) became known as Shi’a (the followers of the Party of ‘Ali – Shi’atu Ali).

Shia and Sunni Islam are the two major denominations of Islam. They chose sides following the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in AD 632. Sunnis believed that Muhammad’s successor should be Abu Bakr and Omar, and the Shias believed that his successor should be Ali.

Shi’a and Shiite are the same thing. With the way Arabic works, a Shiite or Shi’i (adjective) is someone who practices the faith Shi’a. Basically, Shi’a (short for Shi’at Ali or Party of Ali, whom the Shi’a follow) is the faith, a Shiite or Shi’i is one who practices Shi’a.

BACKGROUND. Uzbekistan is more than 80 percent Muslim. The majority of the country’s Muslims are Sunni and regard themselves as followers of the Hannafi branch of Sunnism. In the Stalin era, Muslim clerics suffered persecution, as did Christian clerics throughout the Soviet Union, because they opposed the Soviet regime …

Turkmen

In Turkmenistan, the state actively privileges a form of traditional Islam. That is, the leadership mobilizes the faith in its construction of a post-Soviet, national Turkmen identity. Yet, Turkmenistan is an officially secular country with constitutional provisions for the separation of state from religion.

The Alawis, or Alawites (Arabic: علوية‎ Alawīyah), are a sect of Shia Islam. Alawites form the dominant religious group on the Syrian coast and towns near the coast which are also inhabited by Sunnis, Christians, and Ismailis. They are often confused with the Alevis of Turkey.

Azerbaijan’s population is mostly Shia Muslim. But its government is intensely secular. A lone shop in the centre of Baku, called simply The Muslim Shop, shows how rare the public expression of Islam is in the capital.

Baku is famous for its controversial building craze, oil and gas boom, and now Eurovision 2012. But glitzy architecture isn’t all Baku is known for. The epicenter of a booming oil and gas industry, Baku was considered sacred by Zoroastrians – fire worshippers – for the flames bursting through its oil-rich land.

manat

Visitors to Azerbaijan must obtain a visa from one of the Azerbaijani diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries, countries eligible for visa on arrival or countries eligible for electronic visa.

Baku (獏 or 貘) are Japanese supernatural beings that are said to devour nightmares. According to legend, they were created by the spare pieces that were left over when the gods finished creating all other animals. They have a long history in Japanese folklore and art, and more recently have appeared in manga and anime.

Thanks to income from oil and gas, Baku is a modern capital city with decent public transport and is generally safe. There are some risks of petty theft in crowds or bars, and tourists can be a target of drink spiking and other scams (see above) in Western-style bars and nightclubs. Be extra vigilant on a night out.

Asia