Azərbaycanda-dövlət-din-münasibətləri

51

of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and ISESCO. Azerbaijan initiated the
establishment of new organizations that contribute to the strengthening
of Islamic solidarity, including OIC Youth Forum, OIC Labor Center
and etc. Azerbaijan protects the interests of the Islamic world within
the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and cooperate with the
countries in accordance with the requirements of international law.
In this regard, strengthening of Islamic solidarity in the world is one
of the priority issues in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order declaring 2017 the
Year of Islamic Solidarity. The aim of the order is to provide the
strengthening of Azerbaijan’s unique position in re-establishment
of the Islamic solidarity.  It should be noted that Islamic solidarity
does not only mean the solidarity of Islamic countries. Solidarity is
a kind of challenge, regardless of religion, to the world’s people to
live in friendship, brotherhood and multicultural environment. In this
regard, Declaration of Multiculturalism and Islamic Solidarity year,
Azerbaijan one more confirmed that Azerbaijan is one of the main
centers of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, the country having
strong traditions, experience and potential in the field of the ethnic
and national tolerance, as well as the crossroads of the civilization.
Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Moral
Values Promotion Fund in 2017. Moral Values Promotion Fund has
been established for the support of religious confession, protection
and development of moral values, as well as ensuring state support
to this field. Fund is being subordinated under the State Committee
for Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Fond
is a non-commercial legal entity which provides a state support to the

52

implementation of freedom of religion and protection of moral values.
Functions of the Fund are the enlightenment in the field of religious
beliefs, development and implementation of the programs upon the
relationships between the state and religion, and providing state
support to activities of the religious state bodies over the protection
of freedom of religion.

On February 9, 2018 President Ilham Aliyev has signed an
order to establish Azerbaijan Institute of Theology. Under the order,
the Institute of Theology  is established as an affiliate of the State
Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The establishment of the institute aims to preserve and develop high
religious and moral environment, which derives from the historical
traditions of the Azerbaijani people and is the logical result of the
state policy, and prepare highly qualified specialists in organizing
religious activities

53

Heydar Aliyev Foundation

“Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has sheltered various
communities and nationalities of diverse backgrounds and religions,
living in conditions of mutual co-operation and friendship. Known
as the Gate to the Orient, and located at the crossroads of different
cultures and civilizations, East and West, North and South, and
being a member of both Islamic and European organizations,
Azerbaijan unites the values of multiple civilizations.”

Mehriban Aliyeva,
First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Protection and development of the rich traditions of Azerbaijani
people’s national and spiritual values in the modern era in facing
serious threats to national and moral values are particularly relevant.
According to the geo-strategic position Azerbaijan became one

54

of the most tolerant countries in the world for its different outlook
and lifestyle, national and cultural values, religious beliefs, national
and ethnic composition. Preserving its culture, values, traditions
Azerbaijani people showing greater tolerance of religious diversity
striving for modernity and innovation.

Modern Azerbaijan demonstrates a model of religious tolerance
and development of inter-ethnic relations to the world. Inter-religious
dialogue is further increasing. Today the country is paying special
attention to historical and religious monuments and is repairing and
reconstructing mosques, churches and synagogues. The Heydar
Aliyev Foundation also contributes to this cause.

Global initiatives implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
have made a significant contribution to the recognition of Azerbaijan
as a place of tolerance and multiculturalism in the world. Implementing
of measures to increase the international prestige of the country,
revealing country’s realities to the world community has been a
priority in the direction of the Foundation’s activity. 

Heydar Aliyev Foundation has done significant work  for
the development of science, education, culture, contributed to
the development of intercultural dialogue under the leadership
of Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Vice President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO,
President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Heydar Aliyev Foundation giving special attention to the
enrichment of cultures and civilizations, attaching importance to
the preservation of the traditions of tolerance holds the “Address
of tolerance – Azerbaijan” project. The religious monuments and

55

sanctuaries have been restored within the framework of the project.
Within the framework of the project “Azerbaijan – the Address of
Tolerance”, restoration works were carried out on various religious
objects such as Pir Hasan Shrine, Saint Mary Orthodox Church
and the Holy  Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku, Juma Mosque in
Shamakhy and Hazrati Zeynab Mosque in Ganja, and churches in
various regions of France, stained-glass windows of the 14th-century
Cathedral in Strasbourg, and a monument was erected to Prince
Vladimir in Astrakhan. The international community appreciated the
restoration of Saint Roman catacombs following Mehriban Aliyeva’s
initiative as contribution of the Muslim world to preservation of holy
monuments of the Christian world. 

Repair and restoration works were performed in 2007 at the
Orthodox Church in Baku within the “Address of tolerance -
Azerbaijan” Project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. In September
2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Roman Catholic Congregation.
Along with the implementation of development and reconstruction
projects in certain areas and support to social and religious centers,
the Memorandum specifies a series of activities promoting ethnic and
cultural development of various ethnic groups residing in Azerbaijan.
As an initial step of this cooperation, ceiling of the St. Mary Roman-
Catholic Church in Baku was adorned with classic ecclesiastical
murals. Meanwhile, a ceramic panel was mounted on the church’s
facade.

The Khabad Or-Avner Education Centre for Jewish children
living in Baku was built by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within

56

the Foundation’s “Azerbaijan-Address of Tolerance” project. A
ceremony of laying the foundation of the Centre was held on May
31, 2007, and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban
Aliyeva attended the ceremony. Construction of the Education Centre
was completed in 2010. On October 4, 2010, President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and President of the
CIS Federation of Jewish Communities and Or-Avner International
Foundation Lev Levayev attended the inauguration of the Education
Centre.   Located in Khatai district of Baku, the three-storied complex
has been constructed to the latest standards. The Centre features 30
classrooms provided with high-end equipment and necessary teaching
aids and a 700 sq.m. open air stadium with artificial cover. Designed
for 450 pupils, the distinguished feature of the center, as compared to
other education institutions, is that the bases of the Jewish culture are
taught here. The center is with an ethno-cultural component. 

Five stained-glass windows of the Strasbourg Cathedral Church
related to the 14th  century have been restored within the “Address of
tolerance-Azerbaijan” Project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.  For
this purpose, financial assistance was allocated to the Church by the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation in June of 2009. Scenes from the lives of
Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ have been depicted on the stained-glass
windows installed in 1320-1340.

The monument to Prince Vladimir at a square before the Saint
Vladimir Church in the Russian city of Astrakhan has been erected
by an order of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The foundation
of the monument erected with support from the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation was laid on September 12, 2012, with participation of

57

a delegation from Azerbaijan led by Vice-president of the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva. The monument’s inauguration
took place on December 20, 2013. Vice-president of the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Governor of the Astrakhan
Region Alexander Jilkin attended the opening ceremony. Erection of
this monument is devoted to the 1025th anniversary of Christianity
in Russia, and the 455th anniversary of laying the foundation of
Astrakhan.

Saint Marcellino and Pietro’s catacombs  have been restored
within the framework of the bilateral agreement on restoration of
Roman catacombs signed on June 22, 2012 between the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation and the Holy See. On June 2, 2014, President
of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva acquainted

Opening ceremony of Saint Sebastian catacombs in Vatican

58

herself with the restored catacombs. On February 23, 2016, President
of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva attended the
inauguration of the  Saints Marcellinus and Peter catacombs. Out
of some 60 catacombs located around the city of Rome, just these
catacombs are considered among the most significant monuments for
the Christian world.

On September 26, 2018 opening of the Saint Sebastian
catacombs, restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, took place in
Rome. First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President
of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva attended the
opening ceremony. Works carried out here by the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation started in 2016. In general, there are some 8 thousand
tombs. The catacombs have a rich history. Catacombs are natural and
artificial underground stations. The restoration of the catacombs by
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation which operates in of Muslim country
- Azerbaijan has great spiritual value for the world culture, especially
for Christians. Also the works in the field of the construction and
restoration of mosques, sanctuaries, Christian and Jewish shrines by
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative headed by Mrs. Mehriban
Aliyeva once more prove that these project does not realize close
development of multiculturalism of Azerbaijan within one country,
but facilitate its functioning in the terms of diversity of religions and
cultures around the world. All of these implemented works can be
regarded as of the highest examples of human multiculturalism and
contribution of Azerbaijan to religions and cultures.

59

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CONTENT

Regulation of state-religion relations
and the legislative base.......................................................................3

The State Committee on Religious
Assocations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.........................................9

Azerbaijan- The Land Of Tolerance
History of religions............................................................................14
Islam..................................................................................................19
Christianity inAzerbaijan..................................................................25
Protestants in Azerbaijan...................................................................31
Jewish communities in Azerbaijan....................................................34
Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijan Model of
Multiculturalism................................................................................40
Ilham Aliyev and Religious Policy in Azerbaijan..............................45
Heydar Aliyev Foundation................................................................53

Signed for publishing: 16.09.2018
Size of book: 60x90 1/16
Number of copies: 3000