Inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance is an element of national identity of Azerbaijani people.

1. {
Azerbaijani Model of
Tolerance

2. On tolerance in Azerbaijan:
‚The people here are friendly; asked who we
were, we would simply answer, ‘we are Christians,’
and this would be enough for them.‛
Ambrogio Contarini (XV century Venetian diplomat)
Azerbaijan – land of
tolerance
´Unlike Russia, Azerbaijan is not a closed country… locals and
foreigners can freely travel in the country. They can also do
business and trade here.´
Prof. Adam Olearius (1636-39), Secretary to the ambassador sent
by Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, to the Shah of Persia
Azerbaijan, of the former Soviet republics, is "perhaps the best
place for Jews to live‚
Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation
Centre, July 1992

3.  National characteristics of Azerbaijani People
shaped by historical, geographical and political
factors;
 Policy of the Government of the Republic of
Azerbaijan on promoting tolerance.
Causes of tolerance in
Azerbaijan

4. Causes of tolerance in
Azerbaijan
 The Great Silk Road linked East and West for
thousands of years. Caravans of camels and
mules carried the spices and silk that gave the
road its name from China and India to
Byzantium and Europe. Ideas too and beliefs
and culture travelled this road.
 The spirit of Azerbaijani people was shaped by
this flow of travelers and ideas. The Silk Road
helped to develop a unique Azerbaijani
characteristic— a fusion of hospitality and
tolerance toward people of other races and
religions.

5. Causes of tolerance in
Azerbaujan
 Since the early Middle Ages, the dominant
current of Islam among Azerbaijani religious
scholars has been Tasawwuf, the traditional
Islamic teaching of self-improvement and
spirituality—better known in the West as
Sufism.
 Sufism which propounds love, brotherhood
and harmony with people, regardless of
their ethnic and religious identity has played
a major role throughout the Islamic world in
spreading tolerance towards other
religions, cultures, and races.

6. Religious tolerance in
Azerbaijan
ZOROASTRIANISM
 Azerbaijan was a center of Zoroastrianism;
 In the 18th century, Parsi merchants from
India travelling along the Great Silk Road
discovered the ancient site of a fire temple.
They were granted permission by the
Muslim rulers (called Khans) of Baku to
build here the Atashgah or Temple of Fire;
 Over time, Atashgah has become one of the
emblems of Azerbaijan.
Coat of Arms of the
Republic of Azerbaijan
reflecting flame in the
center.

7. JUDAISM
 Jews first settled in the hospitable land of Azer
 At the end of the 17th century, Fatali Khan of Guba [in
video – portrait of Fatali Khan] granted Jews land to
establish a major settlement near the main city of the
Guba Chiefdom in northeastern Azerbaijan; it was
given the name ‚the Red Village‛, because of the color
of its roofs.baijan in the 5th century BC. The Red
Village is considered the biggest compact settlement of
Jews living in diaspora.
 Throughout its history Azerbaijan has been more than
just safe place for Jews. According to several
international reports today this hospitable land has
gained unique prominence as ‚country with zero anti-
Semitism‛.
 There are 7 functioning synagogues in Azerbaijan at
present.
Religious tolerance in
Azerbaijan

8.  first Christians came to Azerbaijan as early as in I
century AC
 According to Moses of Kalankatuyk (historian of
Caucasian Albania) built the first church in the
Caucasus and three centuries later Christianity was
accepted as the state religion of the Kingdom of the
Caucasian Albania. Azerbaijanis preserved this ancient
church, which is in the modern-day village of Kish.
 Another ancient church from Caucasian Albania is in
Kurmuk, in the north of Azerbaijan. Today Muslim–
Azerbaijanis and Christian–Georgians come together at
this unique church to celebrate the festival
Kurmukoba, in Christian tradition the St. George’s Day.
 There are 13 functioning churches of different Christian
denominations in Azeraijan
CHRISTIANITY
Religious tolerance in
Azerbaijan

9.  Cathedral of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers, built in
1909 by prominent Azerbaijani Muslim oil
tycoon and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin
Taghiyev. This beautiful church was restored by
another prominent Azerbaijani businessman
Aydin Gurbanov in 2001.
 Ortodox Christians are scond largest religious
community in Azerbaijan
Religious tolerance in
Azerbaijan
CHRISTIANITY

10. Although, neighbor Armenia waged war against
Azerbaijan and seized 20% of its land including
Azerbaijanis’ cultural heartland – Karabakh, even the
destruction of mosques and tombs in these still
occupied territories has not been able to shake
people’s respect for other faiths.
Religious tolerance in
Azerbaijan
The Armenian Church still stands not only undamaged in
central Baku but also renovated by Azerbaijani
Government. In 2010, it was visited by the Armenian
religious leader, Catholicos Garegin II, after an official
meeting of the leaders of world Christian Churches with
President Ilham Aliyev.
Armenian Church

11. Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Article 7 p.1:
Azerbaijan is democratic, legal, secular, unitary republic.
Article 18. Religion and state
 I. Religion in the Azerbaijan Republic is separated from
state. All religions are equal before the law.
 II. Spreading and propaganda of religions humiliating
people’ dignity and contradicting the principles of humanism
are prohibited.
 III. State educational system is secular
Government’s policy on
promoting tolerance
LEGAL BACKGROUND

12.  Committed to bridge the historic traditions
with the modern development of the country
the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan
launches numerous projects, both at national
and international levels to foster the
atmosphere of interreligious tolerance and
respect.
Government’s policy on
promoting tolerance

13. THE STATE COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS
ASSOCIATIONS
 The committee was established on June
21, 2001 in accordance with the Article 48 of
the Constitution of Azerbaijan on religious
freedoms by the Presidential Decree to
supervise the activities of religious
organizations in the country as well as
protect, create conditions for and guarantee
religious freedoms to citizens and residents of
Azerbaijan.
Government Agency

14.  So far 730 religious communities have been
registered in the State Committee
 34 of them are non-Islam communities:
 22 Christian, 8 Judaic, 1 deity of Krishna and 3
Baha’i religious communities.
Registered Religious
Communities
THE STATE COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS

15.  In 2002, Pope John Paul II visited Baku at the
invitation of the Nation’s Leader, Heydar
Aliyev. During the visit, the Pope delivered aid
for Azerbaijani refugees from Karabakh—
victims of ethnic cleansing and consecrated the
site for the building of a new Catholic Church
of the Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception.
Seven years later, the erection of the church
was completed with the assistance of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by the First
Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva.
Government’s policy on
promoting tolerance

16.  President Ilham AliyevIn has initiated rebuilding and renovation of the historic
places of worship in Azerbaijan.
 Azerbaijan is also playing host to many international conventions where world
religious leaders and prominent experts gather to explore ways to strengthen
interreligious tolerance on a global level.
Government’s policy on
promoting tolerance