Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Azerbaijan is regarded as an exemplary tolerant state, which creates the equal conditions for all citizens irrespective on their religious beliefs.

Azerbaijan is recognized and accepted as the part of the Islamic world, Head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Institutions said on September 17.

"Islam has been our belief for several centuries and nobody can come here with the purpose of missionary activities," Mubariz Gurbanli stressed.

Azerbaijan is not a place for the missionary activities and let those, who want to be engaged in religious propaganda, do that among the people and tribes not committed to the world religions, he added. "Those desiring to sow discord among Islam devotees are actually harming the Islam," he said.

With regards to conduct of religious rites, Gurbanli said that only religious leaders can hold the religious rites as it is envisaged in legislation.

"The Law "On the freedom of belief" clearly indicates that the religious rites can only be conducted by the registered clergy who have permission to do it," Gurbanli said.

With predominantly Muslim population Azerbaijan is regarded as one of the most tolerant nations in the world. The country made a significant progress in religious tolerance and fighting extremism.

Different countries such as the U.S. and Israel have highly appreciated the efforts by the Azerbaijani government to improve religious atmosphere in the country.

Last year on November 16, on the International Day of Tolerance, Azerbaijan was listed among the world's top five tolerant countries. Model of tolerance in Azerbaijan was considered a model for the Muslim world. It was underlined that Azerbaijan has succeeded to create a peaceful and friendly atmosphere for people of all faiths and nationalities living in the country. Despite the 95 percent majority of the Muslim believers in Azerbaijan, supporters of all religions enjoy the same rights and freedom in the leader country of the South Caucasus.