Azərbaycanda-dövlət-din-münasibətləri

Fidan Ismayilzada

State-Religion
Relations in Azerbaijan

Baku 2018

MORAL VALUES PROMOTION
FOUNDATION

Published with the financial support of the Moral Values Promotion
Foundation under the State Committee on Religious Associations

of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Fidan Ismayilzada

State-Religion Relations in Azerbaijan

Designer: Raman Dadashov
Image editor: Ali Aslanov

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Regulation of state-religion relations
and the legislative base

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a multinational and multi-religious
country. The national policy of this country is defined on the principles
of tolerance and coexistence of various nationalities, ethnic groups
and religious minorities.

Protecting and promoting ethnic and cultural diversity,
multiculturalism, tolerant environment in Azerbaijan has been taken
as one of the main directions of the state policy and the formation of
the legislative base in the field of religion.

According to item No3 of the Article No 25 of the main law of
the Republic of Azerbaijan, i.e. the Constitution, the state ensures
equality of rights and freedom of everybody irrespective of his race,
nationality, religion, language, gender, background, state of property,
service position, faith, membership to political parties, trade unions
and other public institutions. Restriction of the freedom and rights of
people and citizens for racial, national, linguistic, political and social
background, as well as gender is forbidden.

Based on the rich national-historical tradition and regulation of
state-religion relations by international legal norms is considered as
an important element of the existing social stability, civic solidarity
and exemplary tolerance model. As a result, today tolerant atmosphere
prevails in Azerbaijan. The freedom of conscience of ethnic groups
living together in harmony from the ancient times in Azerbaijan and
tolerance issues was paid attention in the formulation of the basis for

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policy and legal framework on the state-religion relation, the law of
freedom of conscience as well as drafting amendments to existing
legislation. The main goal is to strengthen the religious tolerance
tradition which is the great accomplishment of people living in
harmony in Azerbaijan from the ancient times to the present day.

Azerbaijan is a secular state, in article 48 of its Constitution
ensures the liberty of worship to everyone. Everyone has a right to
choose any faith, to adopt any religion or to not practice any religion,
to express one’s view on the religion and to spread it. According
to the Constitution, Azerbaijan is a democratic, legal, secular, and
unitary republic. According to paragraphs 1-3 of Article 18 of the
Constitution the religion acts separately from the government, each
religion is equal before the law and the propaganda of religions
(religious movements), abating human personality and contradicting
to the principles of humanism are prohibited. At the same time the
state system of education is also secular.

Creation of the Ideological Pluralism Environment as the result
of the collapse of the Soviet empire and the socialist system, the
restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan
has established the basis on the legal regulation of the right to freedom
of conscience of country’s citizens.

The law of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1992) “On freedom of
faith” ensures the right of any human being to determine and express
his view on religion and to execute this right. This law provides
guarantees for religious freedom in the Republic of Azerbaijan in
accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and
international treaties wherein the Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the

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parties, establishes the status, rights and responsibilities of religious
entities, regulates relations arising in connection with the activities of
religious entities.

Each state has own system of attitude on the state-religion
relations, religion, freedom of conscience, its aims and principles. This
system is based on historical tradition, national and spiritual values,
the principles and norms of international law, as well as national
legislation. From this point of view, the policy of the Republic of
Azerbaijan for the development of state-religion relations is based on
the freedom of thought, speech and conscience, interfaith dialogues,
tolerance, mutual understanding and promotion of multicultural values
bearing in mind religious diversity in the society. Furthermore, the
policy of the government in the field of religions and beliefs is based
upon the principles and norms of the international law, international
agreements that Republic of Azerbaijan is party to, Constitution of the
Republic of Azerbaijan and other normative legal documents.

Azerbaijan is a multi-confessional and multinational
country. Azerbaijani is one of a few states in the world in which
multiculturalism is a state policy. The state has been playing a leading
role in conducting this policy, in observing its principles, in pursuing
the policy of tolerance and non-discrimination. With the aim to
prevent disintegrative processes in the society the Azerbaijani state
does its best the policy of multiculturalism to serve to sovereignty,
territorial integrity, democratic development, and national security of
the country

The state guarantees to equality before the law regardless of
his attitude to religion and his convictions. Azerbaijan is a secular

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country. Therefore, the state does not have a state religion and any state
religious organization. According to the principle of equality, the state
does not favor any religion, religious figure and religious organization
in the country. Religious communities in the Republic of Azerbaijan
are registered at the State Committee on Religious Associations of
the Republic of Azerbaijan in a manner prescribed by law. Religion
and religious communities are separated from the state in the country.
Azerbaijan state does not instruct religious communities to fulfill any
state’s affair and does not interfere their activities. It should be noted
that religious communities do not take part in the activity of political
parties. According to the Law on Freedom of Religious Beliefs of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, religious structures should take appropriate
measures, established for them in respective legislation, to prevent the
legalization of monetary funds or other assets obtained by criminal
means and the financing of terrorism. Caucasian Muslim Board, Baku
and Azerbaijan Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Mountain
Jews Religious Community, European Jews Religious Community,
Catholic Church, Alban-Udi Religious Community are religious
confessions which operate historically in the country. Islamic religious
communities shall subordinate to the Caucasus Muslim Board in
organizational issues in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and non-Islamic
religious communities shall have the right to become subordinate to
the religion centers (departments) acting in the Republic of Azerbaijan
and abroad, and change the subordination. Non-Islamic religious
institutions having their organizational centers abroad in their activity
may guide the charters of those centers to the extend not contradicting
the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The relations of the state

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with religious centers and departments, including the religious centers
and departments operating beyond the territory of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, which are not regulated by law, shall be regulated among
themselves and pursuant to the approval of the state bodies.

Azerbaijan is a unique land where various ethnic and religious
groups co-existed in prosperity and mutual co-operation for centuries.
Historically, people of different religious and ethnic background have
been living here in the atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding.
In the separate periods of the history, Heathenism, Zoroastrianism,
Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other religions were spread in the
country and the moral culture of the people evolved through a close
interaction among religious believers.

In Azerbaijan different confessions are functioning. Islam is
the main religion in the country. Approximately 96 percent of the
population is Muslim, groups that together constitute the remaining
4 percent of the population include the Russian Orthodox Church,
Georgian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Seventh-
day Adventists, Molokans, Roman Catholic Church, other Christians,
including evangelical Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, and
Bahais. Other groups include the International Society of Krishna
Consciousness (ISKON) and those professing no religion.

Renovation and restoration of historical-cultural monuments,
mosques and sanctuaries, Jewish and Christian temples are a sign
of strong religious-moral conditions reflecting stance of Azerbaijan
toward religions. There are currently 2250 mosques in our country,
including 14 churches and 7 synagogues while 17 mosques were
serving to the believers in the Soviet period. 909 religious communities

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have passed the state registration so far. 877 of these are Islamic, 32
(Christian-21, Jewish-8, Krishna-1, Baha’i-2) are non-Islamic. The
state has created the favorable condition for all religious communities
operating in the country to carry out their religious ceremonies. At
the same time, the state allocates regular financial assistance to the
Islamic and non-Islamic religious communities.

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The State Committee on Religious
Assocations of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The State Committee on Religious Associations is the central
executive power in the Republic of Azerbaijan which provides the
implementation of state policy in the sphere of religion, for the
accurate observance of the regulations of the legislation on religious
organizations, the relationship between religious organizations and
the activities of corresponding bodies of the executive power.

The State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of
Azerbaijan (SCRA) was established  by Decree No 512 of President
of Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 21,2001.

The main objective of the committee’s activity is the creation of
favorable conditions for the freedom of freedom of conscience and
religion as granted by Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic
of Azerbaijan.

The major responsibilities of the Committee are: to create of
the corresponding conditions to implement the freedom of faith, the
state registration of the religious organizations in accordance with the
legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to provide corresponding
amendments and supplements to regulations (statues) of these
organizations, on the request of the religious organizations to provide
necessary aid for achievement of the agreement with the state organs
and to expect their help in the solution of the necessary problems, to
help in strengthening of mutual understanding, tolerance and respect
between the religious organizations of different religious convictions,

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to prevent confrontation and discriminations and other negative cases
happened on the religious ground.

State Committee on Religious Association of the Republic of
Azerbaijan issues a bulletin twice a month for the purpose to inform
the community.

State Registration of Religiuos Communities:

The State Committee carries out the state registration of religious
communities wishing to operate in the country. Thus, for the purpose
of state registration of a religious community, at least 50 mature age
persons of their lawful representatives, who have established it, shall
adress a statement with enclosed protocol of constitutive assembly and
charter of the community to a religious centre or department. List of
those who founded religious community including their nationality,
address and date of birth, as well as ID copies, bases of religious
teaching, also history of the establishment of religious comminity,
its forms and methods, tradition and attitude to family, marrige and
education, information on restriction on the rights and duties of the
members of the community as well as other documents considered
in the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on “State registration and
state register of legal entities” should be attached to the statement.
Within 30 days, the religious centre or department shall submit these
documents, together with its notification to the State Committee.

State control through religious studies

The SCRA in the framework of its power provides expertise
on religious studies of religious literature, religious items and other

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sources of information of religious character and controls their
production, import and distribution and approves establishment of the
specialized sales points for them.

According to Article 22 of the Law on the “On Religious
Freedom” of the Republic of Azerbaijan the religious institutions,
other legal and physical entities, which are not religious institutions,
with permission of the relevant executive authority, to manufacture,
import, export and after marking with holographic sticker, freely
distribute literature (on paper and electronic media), audio and
video materials, goods and items of religious purposes and other
informational materials of religious content. Sale of literature (on paper
and electronic media), audio and video materials, articles and items
of religious purposes and other informational materials of religious
content, marked with holographic sticker, shall be carried out only
in specialized points of sale, formed with permission of the relevant
executive authority. According to Paragraph 7.8 of the Statute of the
State Committee of SCRA, it is one of the duties of the SCRA is to
ensure the conduct of religious expertise on religious literature, audio
and video materials, articles and items of religious purposes and other
informational materials of religious content. This expertise is carried
out by professional experts on the basis of objectivity, impartiality
and neutrality. At the same time, independent experts are involved
in the conduct of the religious expertise. It is not expedient to spread
the religious literature in the territory of the republic if there are
ideas on promoting and instilling of intolerance, promoting terrorism
and extremism, calling on sectarian discrimination, touching upon
religious feelings of other believers, humiliating human dignity and

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contradicting humanistic values in religious materials. For it the
religious materials are submitted to religious expertise on the purpose
of giving the relevant reference without any privileges in any religious
practice. The activity of the religious expertise on the basis of the
listed criteria does not contradict international treaties to which the
Republic of Azerbaijan is a party.

According to Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic
of Azerbaijan No 191 of 9 June 2014 on “Rules for the Control Mark,
Registration, Use and Guidance” have been approved in order to ensure
execution of Paragraph 1.4 of the Decree No. 697 of 4 September
2012 of implementation of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No
365-IVQD of May 22, 2012 on the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan
“On providing of Intellectual Property Rights and combating Piracy”
on article 6 of Section 1.1.4 of the Decree and on Amendments to
the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Protection of Consumers’
Rights” No 668 of 6 July 2012. Religious literature samples and
materials produced in the Republic of Azerbaijan and imported into the
country are marked with holographic sticker after the full completion
of the legal mechanism and the preparation of holographic sticker
since 01.10.2015 in order to provide intellectual property rights and
combating piracy. It also helps to prevent the promotion of religious
extremism in the samples of religious literature produced or imported.

Organization of religious enlightenment

The State Committee implement systematic measures on the
protection of the tolerant atmosphere and multicultural environment,
preventing confrontation, harms of radicalism and religious
discimination, regulation of state and religion relation in the country.

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SCRA realizies religious enlightment activity through “Dövlət və
Din (“State and Religion”) scientific journal and “Cəmiyyət və
Din” (“Society and Religion”) newspaper, as well as through author
programs in different TVs. “State and Religion” journal is published
since 2006. “Society and Religion” newspaper is published since
2009. Here predominatly the activity of SCRA and tolerance is
promulgated. Electronic publishing is provided in SCRA’s website
(scwra.gov.az)

It should be noted that the works done towards enlightenment
events encompassed religious communities, local executive bodies,
various troops of armed forces, secondary and high schools,
penitentiary enterprises, various occupational areas, as well as
religious educational institutions. Regional conferences have been
held with the participation of the leadership of the State Committee
in many regions and cities of the country. Representatives of religious
communities, clergymen, theologians, and religious scholars attended
in these conferences and well-known specialists have made speeches
on enlightenment topics regarding the preventing intolerance,
discrimination, confrontation, honor, and tolerance among religious
and sectarian religious groups, strengthening tolerance in religious
communities and involving religious communities to prevent
developing radicalism in society and problem-solving process.
Simultaneously relevant events were conducted in the capital and
regions of the country regarding the organization and conducting
religious enlightenment, as well as strengthening tolerance in the
act of religious communities, preventing negative trends, especially
religious radicalism.

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Azerbaijan- The Land Of Tolerance
History of religions

Azerbaijan’s historical development features, the geographical
position of the population have created favorable conditions for
the existence of different religions in the country. Religions such as
Heathenism, Zoroastrism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others
managed to spread over the country in different periods of time,
interacted with one another and established the specific religious life
in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is considered to be the oldest cultural center in Asia
and the Caucasus. Archeological investigations prove that the oldest
human settlements of Azerbaijan date to about 1.5-2 million years.
Religion and state relations are of great importance in the history of
Azerbaijan’s four millennia.

Religious rituals and ceremonies played important role in the
social life of people living in Azerbaijan for thousands of years
before our era. Religious beliefs have showed more itself in funeral
ceremonies. Archeological investigations confirmed that the
development of religious beliefs occurs approximately parallel in the
territory of ancient Mesoptomia and Azerbaijan. A very clear example
of this is dead bodies were buried in living places and cavities during
the 6th and 4th Millennia BC.

This tradition has been found not only in the territory of
Azerbaijan but also in several countries of the ancient East, including
Mesopotamia. The Gobustan rock paintings of boats surmounted by

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an image of the sun also attest irrefutably to the ties between the early
settlements of Azerbaijan and the Sumero/Akkadian civilization of
Mesopotamia, whose cultural legacy includes very similar depictions.
At the same time, special rooms were built to carry out religious
ceremonies, during the above-mentioned period and these remains
were found during archeological researches.

Most of the Gobustan rock paintings that associated with
ceremonies and religious ceremonies reaffirms that religious rituals
and ceremonies played important role in the life of people living
about BC era in Azerbaijan.

Heathenism

The heathenism established on the basis of primitive religions
as a totality of all polytheistic beliefs. The heathenism beliefs of the
population of Azerbaijan date back to antiquity and cover different

national faiths beginning from animism,
fetishism, religion of totem, shamanism up
to beliefs in the single God. Philological and
ethnographic researches make it possible
to create the picture of Heathenism on the
territory of the country. Archeological digs
discovered big stone idols in Khynysly,
Daghkolany, Shyraghly, anthropomorphic
statues in Ismayilly, clayey monuments
in Mingechevir. One can come across the
patterns of beliefs in God in epos of the Dede-
Gorgud.

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The ceremonies connected with Heathenism were mostly
presented in the form of synthesis that is the beliefs did not differ
much, influenced one another and participated conjointly in the
formation of the system of moral values of local population, through
supplementing each other. The worshipping of dead forefathers, rocks
and trees (maple, oak, etc), natural phenomenon and celestial bodies
were strong in ancient Azerbaijan. Strabon reported on Albanian’s
worshipping of the Sun, the Moon, the Sky. The oak tree best known
as Tanry khan (the ruling God) was worshipped and sacrificed horses.
Movses Kalankatvasi reports that Albanian rulers called for struggle
against heathenism for spreading Christianity and cut away the trees
which served as idols.

Like other eastern countries the beliefs in the constituency of
the Universe of four main elements- ground, air, water and fire were
widely spread among ancient Azerbaijanis. Fire-worship was also
established on the basis of such beliefs. Fire was thought holy and
worshipped by most people residing in Azerbaijan. People believed
in the ability of fire to destroy meanness and lowness and to purify
people. The fire ceremonies that survived up to present along with the
holiday of Novruz show the strength of traditions of fire-worship in
Azerbaijan.

A temple of fire is the praying house of fire-worship. The temples
of fire-worshippers existed in the religious centers of Atropatena-
Gazaka, Baku, Shemakha and Lenkaran. A temple of fire locating
in Surakhany was erected in the 18th century for fire-worshippers
coming from India.

Though persecuted by Christianity, the fire-worship of the

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Caucasus Albania managed to survive. With the appearance of Islam
in Azerbaijan the fire-worship gradually lost its importance and sank
into oblivion.

Zoroastrism

Though based on the fire-worship, Zoroastrism emerged as an
independent religion. M.Bors pointed out that Zoroastrism had been
the most ancient among the prophetic religions. The Holy book of this
religion Qatas that was part of Avesta was sent down to Zoroaster,
religious teacher and prophet (6th century B.C.). According to some
sources Zoroaster’s father came from Azerbaijan. According to
Zoroastrism, the world lays on two components-the Good and the Evil,

that lead constant struggle
with one another. The world
of the Light, Goodness
and Justice is embodied in
Hormuzd (Ahura-Mazda),
the world of the Darkness,
the Evil and Tyranny in
Ahriman (Ahura Manyu).
The struggle will be finally won by the Good and the active
followers of Ahura-Mazda in his struggle against the Evil and Tyranny
will meet with the happiness of eternity. The ideas of the happiness
of eternity, sins and good deeds prove the maturity of Zoroastrism.
Zoroaster urged people to be more just and purer and to struggle
against any meanness.
Fire occupied the important place in the Zoroastrian beliefs
therefore Zoroastrians were often considered fire-worshippers.

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Zoroastrians thought corpses nasty and therefore did not bury them
into the ground but kept them in special places in the mountains for
birds and worms to eat. Only after that they gathered the purified
bones and buried them.

The Zoroastrian beliefs acquired the form of dogma in the
3rd century B.C. Zoroastrism spread on the territory of Azerbaijan
till Derbend due to the military and political progress of Sasanies.
Iranian Zoroastrians were moved to the country for spreading the
new religion. At the same time Zoroastrism adopted local features
in Azerbaijan. The Caucasus Albanians buried jewelries and kitchen
utensils together with their dead owners. It is also known that after
the purification of the bones of dead people, they were placed in a big
pot-like coffin and thus buried. The dead people were also buried in
the ground, pottery coffins, underground tombs, hollow graves.

Constant wars between Sasanis and Byzantines for expanding
their areas of influence in Azerbaijan resulted in strengthening of
either Christianity or Zoroastrism. In such conditions Islam found
way to the most intensive and peaceful spreading in the country.

Since the Middle Ages Zoroastrism could not react to the cultural
and political requirements of the time thus losing its actuality.

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Islam

Islam that that emerged in the Arabian Peninsula in the early
7th century soon spread the biggest part of the world. The early
representatives of this religion converted Azerbaijan population
to Islam with in the 18th year of Muslim era (639). Marzban of
Azerbaijan Isfandiyar bin Farrukhzad was defeated by Arabs and
concluded the contract in the same year. Arabs occupied Ardebil,
Tebriz, Nakhichevan, Beylagan, Barda, Shirvan, Mugan and Arran
thus reaching Derbend across the Caspian seashore. The fortifiers
of the town resisted Arabs, which attached the city the name “Bab
al-Abvab”. Historian Belaruzi reported that the majority of the
Azerbaijan’s population accepted Islam in period of ruling of khalif
Ali bin Abu Talyb (656-661). This process lasted a bit longer on the
North. Arabs imposed taxes on the population of the occupied lands,
continued invasions after striking the peaceful agreement and later
returned. They resumed invasions as the local population refused
paying taxes.

The first stage which lasted from the mid 7th century till the
early 8th century was the period of progress of Islam. This stage
ends with the overthrow of Albania and the loss of independence
by Albanian church in 705. According to academician, Z.Bunyadov
Islam dominated Azerbaijan at the end of this stage and state officials
accepted this religion unconditionally to preserve their privileges. The
new religion spread among merchants and artisans as Arabs granted
privileges to this strata.

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The period of Azerbaijan’s annexation to the Russian Empire can
also be regarded as a new stage in the religious life of the country.
This period is notable for the attempts of the government to subdue
Muslim priests through the policy of establishing the religious
structure of Islam similar to that of the Christian church. The letter
that was sent to the Senate by the Russian Tsar on November 29,
1832 proposed to work out the statue on the department for work with
Transcaucasia Muslims. However, none of the prepared drafts was
approved. The official of the Minister of Foreign Affairs M.Khanykov
by the instruction of knyaz Vorontsov worked out the draft statue on
formation of Mohamed’s clergymen in 1849. Though the draft was
fully approved, it was not implemented due to the commencement
of the Crimea war. A new commission was established to continue
this work in 1864 and local representatives of Shiism and Sunnis
were involved into it. Prepared regulations controlled the positions
of Muslim clergymen, rights and privileges and relations with the
secular government. Only Sheyhulislam and Mufti got wage from the
government until 1867 while other Muslim clergymen started to get
it beginning from this year. The Tsar of Russia ratified the regulation
on the department for Islamic Sunnite and Shiite clergymen of
Transcaucasia, introduced by the State council on April 5, 1872. The
department was mainly based on the structure of the Orthodox Church.
Two Muslim administrative bodies-the Sunnite Religious department
leaded by the Mufti and the Shiite Religious Department chaired by

Sheyhulislam-were set up in the Caucasus. Each of these two
departments locating inTiflis was composed of the chair, three members
of presidium, and two assistants along with the secretary, dragoman,

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clerk and registrar. Both two departments included four Assemblies
in Tbilisi, Yerevan, Yelizavetpol (Ganja) and Baku provinces. The
Sunni department included 16 confessors and Shiite-20 of them. The
departments acted under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reported
directly to the governor. The local government bodies controlled
provincial clergymen. The religious affairs of the Caucasus Muslims
had been regulated by these two departments until the establishment
of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (1918-1920). Sheyhulislam
Mohamed Pishnamazzade sent into resignation on December 11,
1918. Akhund Agha Alizade was appointed Sheyhulislam by the
decree of Musa Rafibeyov, the Minister of Social Insurance and
Religious Conviction of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. This
period was notable for strengthening of tendencies, which aimed at
rationing, and modernizing of Islam. Following the establishment
of the Soviet government tin Azerbaijan in 1920 the Ministry of
Religious Conviction and Sheyhulislamism were dismissed on May
15, Muslim clergymen were persecuted, most of the Mosques were
closed down. The creation of Religious structure of Trancscaucasia
Muslims was considered advisable for the use of religion in struggle
against German fascism in 1943.

The first session of the Transcaucasia Muslims was held in Baku on
May 25-28 and the Religious Department for Transcaucasia Muslims
was established in this city. Akhund Agha Alizade was appointed
Sheyhulislam. He is the first elected Sheyhulislam as the government
appointed those preceding him. Moreover, the dualism was abolished
in the religious organizations of the Caucasus Muslims in 1944. The
Religious Department of Transcaucasia Muslims became a common

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center that was controlled by Sheykhulislam, Mifli was considered
the first deputy chair of the Department and regulated the problems of
Sunnites. This department acts as the Caucasus Muslims Department
and is the center of all other religious communities of Islam.

Tezepir Mosque

Construction of gem of Azerbaijani architecture, the Tezepir
Mosque was started back on July 23, 1905, the day of the Mabas
holiday and was completed in 1914. The mosque was funded by
an esteemed the member of the Ashurkhan family, Nabat khanum
Ashurbekova.

President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree in 2005 to have
mosque restored and the adjacent areas rebuilt. Reconstruction and
refurbishment work, and the grand opening ceremony took place with
the participation of President Ilham Aliyev on 6 July 2009.

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Heydar Mosque

The building, which covers a total area of 12,000 square meters
was constructed under the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev. The
facade of the mosque was covered with special stones architectural
style of Shirvan-Absheron. Mosque has four 95 m- height minarets.
President Ilham Aliyev kept construction of the mosque constantly
in the focus of attention, took great interest in the course of
construction works carried out here, repeatedly visited here and
gave relevant instructions relating to implemented works. Having
total area of 4200 square meters, special decoration elements
were used inside the mosque, The Koranic verses are written

on the edges of the dome. 55m- height main and 35m-height
second domes  give special beauty to the inside of the mosque.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev attended
the opening of the Heydar mosque on December 26, 2014.

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Heydar Mosque is not only known for its incredible beauty. Since its
inception, the Mosque has also become a symbol of peace, tolerance and
unity. As part of what is called the Year of Multiculturalism, proclaimed in
Azerbaijan by President Ilham Aliyev, on Friday, January 15, 2016, a joyful
crowd of religious, government and community leaders joined together to
witness and participate in a groundbreaking experience — a “unity prayer”
of Shia and Sunni Muslims. Since then the Heydar Mosque has been holding
joint Shia-Sunni prayers every Friday. The Sunni and Shia imams of the
Mosque take turns in leading the prayers.

There are ongoing bloody violence and confrontation between Shias
and Sunnis in different parts of the world, but unity prayer in Azerbaijan is a
strong message of peaceful coexistence, harmony, and a testimony to what is
possible for the world.

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Christianity in Azerbaijan

 Azerbaijan is a country of centuries-old culture, history and ancient
communities, whose lifestyle presents a distinctive and harmonious
combination of the traditions and ceremonies of different cultures
and civilizations. The specificities of the historical development
of Azerbaijan, its geographical position and the national composition
of the population created favorable conditions. Azerbaijan has
historically hosted one of the world’s earliest Christian communities.
This community has always represented an important part of the
culture and society of Azerbaijan. Christianity influenced Azerbaijan
by means of the Caucasus Albania in the first years of the new era in
times of Christ’s apostils.

Catholic Church

Catholisism which is the largest denomination of the Christianity
is more than 600 years in Azerbaijan. The Catholic Church in
Azerbaijan is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the
spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome

Starting from 1320, Catholic missionaries such as Jordanus
and  Odoric of Pordenone have visited what is now Azerbaijan
and have established missions mostly in large cities. In the
fourteenth century in Nakhchivan, there were 12 missions led
by Dominicans, Capuchins, Augustinians, etc. 

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Russian Army created the Roman Catholic Parish in Baku due to
the resettlement of military Catholics to the Caucasus in the 1850s. The
parish was under the military Roman-Catholic parish of TetriSkaroda
(Georgia). The Baku parish became independent in 1882. The church
in glorification of the Immaculate Conception of Saint Maria was
erected in 1895; the church of the Holy Cross was constructed in the
Baku cemetery in 1903.

First Catholic Church in Baku - The first foundation stone was
finally laid in May 1909. General contractor Haji Gasimov were in
charge of the project. The fifty-metre high church was dedicated to the
Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary. The structure was
designed in the neo-gothic architectural style, could accommodate
1200 people and was situated at the intersection of Rashid Behbudov
and Azerbaijan Avenues. In 1917, the community numbered about
2,500 people. The Roman-Catholic community was restored in Baku
in 1999

Visit of Pope John Paul II
On May 22-23, 2002, Pope John Paul II (1920-), the spiritual
leader of more than 1 billion Roman Catholics worldwide, visited
Baku. He was initially invited by National leader Heydar Aliyev.
After a number of official ceremonies and meetings on the second
day of his trip, the Pope celebrated the Mass in the Palace of Hand
Games with more than 5000 people. In the aftermath of this visit,
President Heydar Aliyev allocated land for the Catholic Church in the
so-called “Black City” for the construction of a new church building.
The work, led by the Italian architect Paolo Ruggiero, was completed
in February 2007 and named for the Immaculate Conception of the

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Blessed Virgin Mary.
In July 2003, Father Daniel Pravda was succeeded by Yan Chapla

SDB who was appointed Ordinary for six years.
  In January 2006, the order of Mother Teresa, the Sisters of

Charity, started its activities in Baku and opened a shelter for homeless
people in June

Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic church
in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 The church was built in 2006 according to the Italian architect
Paolo Rujero’s project in the modern style with elements of New
Gothic. The statue of the Virgin Mary by local sculptors was set up
over the entrance of the Church which has 200 benches. On 29th April,
2007 the Apostolic Nuncio in Transcaucasia Monsignor Claudio
Gujerotty administered the rite of consecration of the Church.

The Church was able to be built thanks to Pope John Paul the

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Second’s visit to Azerbaijan in 2002. The plot of land for building
was presented to the Church by Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev.

Russian Orthodox in Azerbaijan
The  Russian Orthodox Church in Azerbaijan constitutes the
main community of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the country.
Orthodoxy was imported to Azerbaijan in frames of the policy of
resettlement led by the Russian tsarist regime in early 19th century.
The first Russian Orthodox church in Baku was built in 1815, but
churches had been previously built in Ganja and Samaxi.
There were 21 sectarian villages in Baku during 1868.
It should be noted that the religious institution of Baku and
Azerbaijan Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church was first
registered in 2002 at the State Committee on Religious Associations
of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and in 2009 it went under the state
registration a new. The Eparchy is divided into three dioceses
(administrative parts) – the diocese of the city of Baku, the Western
diocese and the Caspian diocese. Attached to it are 5 churches (3 –
in Baku, 1 – in Ganja and 1 – in Khachmaz), 2 prayer houses (in
Sumgayit and Lankaran), 1 chapel (situated in the territory of the
Russian Embassy to Azerbaijan).
The Orthodox Religious Cultural Centre operating within the
Eparchy was built by President Ilham Aliyev’s instruction, and
was opened on 15 November 2013. The opening ceremony was
attended by President Ilham Aliyev, the Chair of the Caucasian
Muslims Board, Sheikhul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, also the
Vereyskiy Archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Chair
of the Training Committee at St Synod, the Rector of Moscow

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Theological Academy and Seminary, the Archbishop of Moscow
and Berlin, the Head of the Department of Relations between the
Church and Society of Moscow Patriarchate, the chairs of the
other Christian and Jewish communities in our country, members
of the Parliament, the ambassadors of foreign countries and other
individuals.

Opening ceremony of The Orthodox Religious Cultural Centre
There is a baptismal room and other places for hosting various

events, including conferences and seminars, constructed in this four-
storied building, also necessary conditions have been created for
Sunday schools to provide church education.

Since 2015 Azerbaijani has been taught at the Russian churches to
Azerbaijani citizens who are Russians by nationality in the frames of
the project “We Are Learning the Azerbaijani Language” implemented
by the Knowledge Foundation under the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, the Service of the State Counselor on Multiculturalism,
Interethnic and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The

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Eparchy publishes the quarterly journal “Pravoslavniy Kaspi” and
twice a month the newspaper “Pravoslavniy vestnik”.

The Russian Orthodox Christians living in that country have
always been embraced with the Azerbaijani state’s attention and care.
Each year President Ilham Aliyev addresses the Orthodox community
with congratulations on significant religious holidays, which is a
tradition founded by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

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Protestants in Azerbaijan

Protestantism was introduced in the territories of present-day
Azerbaijan by German Lutherans. Baptist missionaries followed
in the late 19th the century and early 20 th  century. The first Baptist
Church was established in 1890 in Baku and officially registered in
1905.

The Lutheran Church

The establishment of the Lutheran Church on the territory of
Azerbaijan is closely linked to the migration of German settlers invited
to Russia by Catherine II at the end of the 18th century. In the early
1800s, the Southern Caucasus, including Northern Azerbaijan, was
conquered by the Russian Empire and Germans colonists continued
to settle in this region throughout the 19th century. Around 1819, the
tsarist authorities moved about a thousand of them to Helenendorf
and Annenfeld (currently Khanlar and Shamkir city of Azerbaijan ).
While migrating to Azerbaijan, the German brought the Protestant
spiritual and cultural traditions and customs from their historical
homeland and reverently preserved them in their new country of
abode. Protestantism in Azerbaijan went through several stages and
was represented by the activity of Protestant missionaries and German
colonist sectarian separatist community which gradually transformed
into the Evangelical-Lutheran community. It consisted primarily of
Germans, although there were also Swedes and the representatives of
other peoples living in the republic.

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Lutheran churches have been built and put into operation in
regions of our country, namely Goygol, Gedebey, Shamakhi, Baku and
Shamkir in the different period of time. Currently, there are restored
protestant churches in Shamkir and Goygol. These churches protected
by the state as historical and cultural monuments. The Lutheran
Church functions as a museum of history in Goygol. In Shamkir, it
remains as a church. The great Lutheran Church built in 1896-1899 in

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Baku is open to service today, and all the necessary conditions have
been created here for the worship.

At present, there are representatives of different nationalities,
including Germans, living in the Azerbaijan Republic who enjoy equal
rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of Azerbaijan
Republic (in particular, Arts 21, 25, 44,45). They also preserve and
develop their own culture, language, customs and traditions. Today,
several societies and organizations function inAzerbaijan that carry out
social and cultural undertakings to acquaint people with the German
culture. Among them are the Kapelhaus German Azerbaijani Society
of the Culture, the Renaissance Azerbaijani National-Cultural Society
of Germans, the Germany Azerbaijan Society, and the Evangelical
Lutheran Community which acquaint people with culture, spiritual
life and history of this nationality by holding variety of cultural
functions. As a result, the Germans and their descendants who stayed
and are living in the republic today are able to hold cultural holidays
and events as well as to attend church.

The  Myrrhbearers  Church was erected in 1909 in Baku in the
Russian style according to the project of the architect M.F. Verzhbitsky
with the financial assistance and donatation of the oil magnate and
philanthropist Haji Zeinalabdin Tagiyev. During the Sovet Period,
the church was among the first churches to be closed. The church
was restituted to the Russian Orthodox Church only in 1991. His
Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II on his
visit to Azerbaijan on 27 May 2001 administered the consecration
of the Church and gave it a status of the Big Cathedral Church. After
restoration, the Church was opened on 24 March 2003.

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Jewish communities in Azerbaijan

The history of Jewish settlement roots dates back to 2600 years
ago in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan people are in a good relationship with
Jewish people that intermingle with the local people and even had
family ties with them in the country for centuries.

Jews mostly resided in Baku, Sumgait cities, as well as Guba
and Oghuz regions in Azerbaijan. They worked in various areas, as
handicraft, trade, medicine, teaching, etc.

Currently, Jews are presented by three communities, which are
Mountain Jews, Georgian Jews and European Jews (Ashkenazi).

After Azerbaijan gained its independence, a new stage began
in the life of national minorities, as well as Jews in our country. To
support at the state level the protection of the rights and freedom
of national minorities, their culture, development of their language
opened new opportunities in front of Jewish communities. After state
registration of these communities, they freely function, new places
of worship, synagogues are opened and national ceremonies and
holidays are held.

At present, 7 synagogues function in Guba and Oghuz cities,
including the capital Baku. Six of them are Mountain Jews and one
refers to European and Georgian Jews.

There was opened “Smirat a-Sem” college for Jewish children
in “Red Settlement” in Guba region where Mountain Jews live
compactly. Israeli instructors teach Jewish national traditions and
customs here.

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Red Settlement-unique settlement of Jews in Azerbaijan and today one of the
largest all-Jewish towns outside of Israel

In October 2010, the 200 years old synagogue of Mountain
Jews religious community after thoroughly restoration was solemnly
opened.

On October 27, 2010 for the Jewish community in Baku was built
a new synagogue on the initiative and with support of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and the synagogue was opened for believers
on April 5, 2011.

“Georgian Jews” in Azerbaijan are the representatives of Jewish
Diaspora that reside in Georgia from ancient times. In subsequent
years some part of them moved to Azerbaijan and mainly settled in
Baku. Georgian Jews celebrate their national and religious holidays
without any interruption, their children study as equal as citizens of
the Republic of Azerbaijan. Each year from 1995, the president of

36

the country congratulates Jewish people on the occasion of Jewish
New Year which is called “Rosh Hashanah”. The foundation of this
tradition was laid by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and today the
President Ilham Aliyev successfully continues this tradition.

In Azerbaijan the Holocaust is commemorated as genocide that
is subject to new Jews by the fascism regime during World War II.
Every year on the occasion of this day, the head of the country Ilham
Aliyev addresses appeals to Jewish community of the Republic of
Azerbaijan.

Another Jewish community, European Jews (Ashkenazi) came to
Azerbaijan, mainly in the second half of the nineteenth century during
the development of the oil industry. There were architects, teachers,
doctors, lawyers and other representatives of different professions
among intellectual European Jews coming to Baku.

In 1897, nearly 2500 Jews lived in Baku and most of them were
European Jews. In 1913, this number rose to about ten thousand.
There was built a synagogue in Baku in 1910 as in other Jewish
communities, and this was not only a place of worship but also an
educational center for European Jews.

There were special Jewish schools that are called “Yeshiva” in
which holy books were taught as “Torah”, “Talmud”, and “Mishnah”
in the city. Moreover, there were opened special gymnasium and
schools for Jewish girls.

Historically, Azerbaijani people had a positive attitude to the
Jews living here, even they did not have alien rampant attitude in the
period of anti-Semitism in the world.

Today the Ashkinazi live in a remote environment from anti-

37

Semitism together other Jews. Many years ago these Jews came to
Azerbaijan to work, then they became worthy citizens for our country
and the Republic of Azerbaijan became the eternal Home for them.

It is estimated that nearly eight thousand Jews live in the Republic
of Azerbaijan. Most of them are active in the political, economic,
social and cultural life of the country. At present, there are memorial
plaques in the buildings where Nobel Prize winner physicist Lev
Landau, honored doctor of the republic Solomon Gusman, national
hero Albert Agarunov who voluntarily enlisted in the Azerbaijani Army
in 1991 and fought in the Nagorno-Karabakh War, defending the territorial
integrity of his homeland – Azerbaijan against invasion and aggression by
Armenia and others lived.

At present, Jewish communities that registered by the State
Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
are;

- Baku religious community of European Jews
- Baku religious community of Mountain Jews
- Baku religious community of Georgian Jews
- “Sumgait Jewish” religious community
- Guba Red Settlement religious community of Mountain Jews
- Religious community of Azerbaijani Jews
- Oghuz city Jewish religious community
- Baku “Light of Jerusalem” Jewish religious community

Jewish communities are considered as the most active religious
communities of the Republic of Azerbaijan. There are Azerbaijani-
Israeli Friendship center, the “Sochnut” Jewish agency, “Joint”,

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and “Va’ad le-Atzola” committees that deal with protection and
preservation of jewish traditions, religious schools-yeshivas, cultural
centers of jewish communities, woman society “Yeva” and other non-
governmental organizations in the republic. Additionally, Hebrew
language is taught at the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology. In 1990,
Azerbaijani-Israeli cultural relations society was established and this
society began to publish newspapers with “Az-Iz” abbreviation. Since
1992 the diplomatic relations were established between the Republic
of Azerbaijan and the state of Israel and since then these relations are
developing rapidly.

All necessary conditions are created in order to worship at a high
level for European Jews. Now, two synagogues in Baku, three of them
in Guba and two more synagogues are available for believers.

The synagogue of European and Georgian Jews (Baku city,
Nasimi district, Dilara Aliyeva str., 171) that was opened on March
9, 2003 in the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku city is
considered one of the largest synagogues in Europe for its grandeur.
Moreover, “Chabad Ohr Avner” Jewish education center was opened
on October 4, 2010 in Ahmadli settlement of Baku with the financial
support of “Heydar aliyev” Foundation. At the opening of the center,
the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Sephardic
Chief Rabbi of Israel, Shlomo Amar and other senior officials attended.

Anti-Semitism

Jews have been living in Azerbaijan for more than 2,600 years.
Throughout this period, they have been fully part of society. Unlike
many other countries in the world, there is no discrimination, social
hostility or organized manifestation of anti-Semitism in Azerbaijan. A

39

high level of tolerance in society prevails and Jews obviously benefit
from it.  

For the most part, the Jewish community has enjoyed strong
relations with the government. Azerbaijan and Israel have had
diplomatic relations since 1991, when Azerbaijan gained its
independence.

Holocaust education in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, teaching about the Holocaust is part of
mandatory public school curriculum. Hayat Bilgisi (World Vision or
Understanding the World) is an Azerbaijan mandatory public school
book containing sections about the absolute necessity to respect and
understand other cultures and religions.  The book specifically deals
with the Holocaust perpetrated against the Jewish people, teaching
Azerbaijani youth that “the Holocaust against the Jewish people was
the largest ever genocide committed against a people, solely because
of their ethnicity.” Additionally, it deals with negative phenomenon,
such as racism and intolerance. In that section of “Culture and
Tolerance”, Judaism, along with other religions and cultures, is
explained to school children. At the result of the learning this section,
Azerbaijani students to possess the moral obligation to respect others
and promote the understanding of multiculturalism.

40

Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijan Model of
Multiculturalism


“The multi-ethnic composition of the population of Azerbaijan is
our wealth, advantage. For centuries, Islamic, Jewish and Christian
religions have played an indispensable role in the establishment of
peace and tranquility, friendly and fraternal relations by coexisting
together. High moral qualities like humanism and tolerance, which
is typical to Azerbaijani people have excluded the occurrence
of the cases on the grounds of national discrimination, religious
intolerance contrary to humanism”

Heydar Aliyev,
National Leader of the Azerbaijani people

41

Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country where
national policy is based on traditional tolerance and harmonious co-
existence between various ethnicities and religious groups. Historically,
there has been no ethnic, religious and racial discrimination among
people in Azerbaijan and tolerance has been a characteristic feature
of our national mentality. Ethnicities who have resided in Azerbaijan
for hundreds of years and adhered to various religions have lived
peacefully side by side in Azerbaijan.

Since the late 1960s, the history of Azerbaijan has been closely
connected with the name of its national leader, Heydar Aliyev. For
three decades, he was the driving force behind the country’s political,
economic, social, and cultural development. 

Heydar Aliyev, the greatest Azerbaijani of XX century, returned
to power in 1993, a new stage in the attitude to national moral values
took its start. In the period of the Sovet Union, at the time when the
state pursued the policy based on atheism, Heydar Aliyev rendered
great efforts in the preservation of the national traditions, customs and
belief of the nation. The mentioned the following saying “Our religion
is a national moral wealth of our nation”, Heydar Aliyev viewed the
moral values as a foundation for the future. So this issue constituted
one of major directions of the state policy of religion carried by him
and he meant that the future destiny and Azerbaijan state and nation
depended on the return to the national moral values to a certain extent.
National leader Heydar Aliyev has been sensitive to the preservation
and promotion of this national quality and ethno-cultural diversity
in Azerbaijan over the centuries, emphasizing that Azerbaijan is a
common homeland of all the peoples living here. Heydar Aliyev’s

42

national policy served not only individual ethnicity but also the
equal development of all citizens in all spheres of life regardless of
their nationality. As a result of the successful national policy of the
national leader, representatives of even the smallest nationalities in
Azerbaijan began to unite in their communities, develop their own
culture, language and traditions, and did not experience any religious
and national discrimination.

Heydar Aliyev approached the religious issue from standpoint of
international legal norms and human rights protection. He considered
it necessary to inform that, along with dialogue and peace between
peoples, nations and religions. Heydar Aliyev clearly and plainly
explains the situation: “Azerbaijan Republic is a country with multi-
national composition. Together with Azerbaijanis, there reside
representatives of other nationalities and religions. Guided by
principles of democracy and justice, the Azerbaijani state provides
all possible opportunities to peoples on its territory, regardless of
their nationality, religion, language, race, political affiliation. Each
of them is free. One of his public speech, he emphasized: “Islamic
religion has never been hostile to other religions. All these religions
have come from the God. Alongside with Muslims, there are people
having different beliefs and living Azerbaijan. They are also full-
fledged citizens of Azerbaijan. We have to try that all citizens of
Azerbaijan regardless religious and national belonging are equal
righted and organize their all union and unity. This is our way and
the way advocated by the God”.

Today we live in the world where religious discrimination is being
strengthened, the religious conflict is posed internationally. Because

43

of this reason the religious tolerance issue is important and inevitable.
It should be noted that being the crossroad of religions and cultures
throughout the history Azerbaijan is implementing successfully
the same function as well. The religious ethical groups settled in
Azerbaijan at the different historical times have not felt themselves
strangers, they also formed relative ties with local population. The
creation of such perfect tolerance environment in Azerbaijan proves
that the religious tolerance and endurance is characteristic property
and national-moral values of Azerbaijan nation.

The regulation of the state-religion relation, achievements of
stability in the field of religion, the preservation of tolerance among
the confessions at the state level are bound to closely Heydar Aliyev.
Tolerance atmosphere was more strengthened at the state level, state-
religion relation field has turned to the priority direction of the state
policy.

After his coming to the power, maintenance of tolerance
atmosphere among confessions, legal moral condition has been
created for the activity of religious communities. The representatives
of religions in Azerbaijan conduct their rites freely, participate closely
in the social life of the country as full-fledged citizens. The laws and
normative acts on religious issues adopted in Azerbaijan provide fully
the freedom to conviction and allocations to the legal base to regulate
the relations between the state and religious organizations within
the framework of the law. The state attaches great importance to the
establishment of human rights and freedoms as well as preservation
of national moral values.

He visited holy places, mosques and shrines, met there with

44

believers and representatives of different religious communities
acting in Azerbaijan, made statements, attended conferences and
meetings put forward his recommendations aimed at resolving
religious problems.

The Azerbaijani President congratulated religious communities
on their holidays – Christians on Easter and Christmas, Muslims on
Gurban and Jewish on Rosh Hashanah. He had meetings with leaders
of Islam, Christianity and Jewish religions, discussed with them
problems of dialogue and mutual respect between different systems
of faith. It was his intensive activity on this track that no confrontation
and discrimination on the basis of religion took place in Azerbaijan.
Heydar Aliyev made a great contribution not only to the revival of
social, political and economic life of the country, but also to the
rebirth of cultural and spiritual values. It should be noted that he had
also been skillful in making exact and precise forecasts, he foresaw
future developments and perfect models of perspective social and
economic development, he perceived ways of religious and spiritual
revival of society.

45

Ilham Aliyev and Religious Policy in Azerbaijan

“Azerbaijan for centuries was a place where religions,
cultures, civilizations met. We are not only a geographic bridge
between East and West, but also a cultural bridge. For centuries
representatives of religions, cultures lived in peace and dignity
in Azerbaijan. Religious tolerance, multiculturalism always was
present here. There was no word “multiculturalism”, but ideas
were always present. And the result of that is that today Azerbaijan
is a multiethnic, multi-confessional country where representatives
of all religions and ethnic groups live in dignity and peace. This
is one of our biggest assets. And we are proud of our history. We
are proud of our historical monuments which reflect the creation
of representatives of different cultures. For centuries Azerbaijan is

46

preserving these assets regardless of political or social situation in
our country. Multiculturalism has no alternative. Of course, we all
know that there are different ideas. Some say that multiculturalism
failed or didn`t work. But there are positive examples. For us
multiculturalism is a state policy and is our lifestyle.”

Ilham Aliyev
President of Republic of Azerbaijan

Regulation of state-religion relations, achievement of stability in
the religious sphere, strengthening of mutual understanding, tolerance
and respect between all persons living in its territory regardless of
their ethnic, cultural, language or religious identity at the state level is
associated with the name of Heydar Aliyev. This policy successfully
pursued by President Ilham Aliyev.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is a multinational and multi-religious
country. The national policy of this country is defined on the principles
of tolerance and coexistence of various nationalities, ethnic groups
and religious minorities. Thus, the preservation and promotion of the
religious and cultural understanding, tolerance that inherent in the
life of Azerbaijanis at the regional and international level are among
the main goals of state policy. It is clearly seen the state’s attitudes
towards tolerance and multiculturalism the religious confessions,
representatives of different religions, the restoration of historical and
religious monuments, and the international conferences organized in
this direction as well as the essence of the national legislation.

One of the examples of the religious policy in Azerbaijan
is the fact that President Ilham Aliyev pays attention Muslims,

47

Christians, Jews and other communities. So, the head of the state
always delivers congratulating speeches on the occasion of traditional
religious holidays of Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Jewish
religious communities.

The facts once again show that tolerance is an integral part of the
state policy in Azerbaijan. We can proudly say that religious tolerance
which has been proclaimed as one of the democratic values all over
the world is national character of Azerbaijani people. Today, along
with churches and synagogues in Azerbaijan, but also numerous
Christian and Jewish religious educational institutions freely and
without obstacles are functioning and the state render them any
necessary support within the law.

One of example of the great attention and care of the Azerbaijan
state to national and spiritual values is Order of President Ilham
Aliyev dated 27 November 2014 on financial assistance to religious
communities in Azerbaijan.

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Azerbaijani government is providing financial aids to religious
communities in the country. 2.5 million manats (about 1,250 million
euros) was allocated to the State Committee from the President’s
Reserve Fund envisaged in the 2014 state budget in order to further
strengthen religious enlightenment and promote national and spiritual
values in the country according to the Order of the President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, dated November 27, 2014. The allocation
to religious communities by the state would play a positive role in
preventing modern times addiction such as radicalism, extremism,
sectarian discrimination, and strengthen the work on religious
enlightenment and the promotion of national and spiritual values.

Also, under the President’s decree dated 5 July 2016, 1 800 000
AZN from President’s Reserve Fund of the 2016 state budget was
allocated to religious communities to support and improve their
financial status. 800 000 AZN of the assigned amount was allocated
to non-Islamic religious communities of Azerbaijan. The amount of
money allocated to non-Islamic religious institutions was calculated
for fitting the number of their followers.

In 2014, Baku International Multiculturalism Center was created
to promote tolerance and protection of cultural, religious and linguistic
diversity as well as to promote Azerbaijan as a multicultural center in
the world and to explore and promote existing multicultural models.
Appreciating multiculturalism as the state policy of the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the lifestyle of Azerbaijani people, President Ilham
Aliyev attaches great importance to cooperation with the UN, OSCE,
Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation and other influential international organizations. The

49

head of the state has always pointed out the importance of joining
conventions to protect the rights and freedoms of national minorities
adopted by these organizations. As a result of this political line,
it is possible to point out that the Republic of Azerbaijan was
admitted to the UNESCO Convention on Protection and Promotion
of the Diversity of Cultural Forms by the law of Azerbaijan on
Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of
Cultural Forms by the law of Azerbaijan on November 26, 2009.
Tolerance and multiculturalism in secular Azerbaijan is a style of life
for over 9.6 million people living at the crossroad of the East and
West, and combining traditions and cultures. Azerbaijan is one of the
world’s centers of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is a state policy
in Azerbaijan. Representatives of all ethnic groups and religions
live in peace and harmony in Azerbaijan. Multiculturalism has
become a way of life of the republic ensuring mutual understanding
and respect for all identities. The purposeful work is conducted in
Azerbaijan which promotes multicultural values in the direction of
protection of culture, language and tradition of minorities. Despite
the ethnic origin and confessional differences of minorities, they
are treated equally and tolerance principles are addressed in the
relation with them regardless of their language, religion and ethnic
origin. National minorities fully enjoy their right to establish
centers, associations and other bodies. Generally, all these once
again prove that Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism is reflected
not only in the will of people, but in the policy of the state as well.
Azerbaijan sees that multiculturalism is an action system important
for the development of mankind in the future, because in the era

50

of globalization, human interactions across cultures have become
a necessity and no more room for cultural isolation and inclusion,
for engaging in self-isolation is simply catastrophic. The Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree declaring 2016 as the Year
of Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. This was to maintain and further
develop and popularize the traditions of multiculturalism. Azerbaijan
makes significant contributions to the traditions of tolerance at
worldwide level through the confidence in adopting daring decisions.
The Year of Multiculturalism was also remarkable in a number of
international conferences and meetings. The State Committee on
Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan held more than
160 events within the framework of the “Year of Multiculturalism”.
International events were organized in Baku and other regions of the
country. Numerous meetings were held in the direction of promoting
the traditions of multiculturalism in the international arena.

Currently, the subject on “Azerbaijani multiculturalism” is taught
at 40 Azerbaijani universities and 19 foreign universities. The purpose
of teaching of this subject is to present Azerbaijan to the world from
different point of view, and to introduce the traditions of tolerance, the
values of multiculturalism of the people to the public.

After Azerbaijan gained its independence, established
international relation with all the countries of the world, and building
relations with Islamic world in the frame of these relations is one
of the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy.  Azerbaijan
opened its first diplomatic missions in Muslim countries, and in a
short period of time Azerbaijan became an active member of the
organizations that unite the Muslim world, such as the Organization