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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: AZERBAIJAN'S CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND OTHER LAWS AND POLICIES CONTRIBUTED TO THE GENERALLY FREE PRACTICE OF RELIGION
Azeri Press Agency
20 Sep 2008 12:35
Azerbaijan
Tamara Grigoryeva- APA. U.S. Department of State has released
International Religious Freedom Report 2008, APA reports quoting
official website of the Department of State.
The report says that the Constitution provides for freedom of religion,
and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free
practice of religion. "There was no change in the status of respect
for religious freedom by the Government during the period covered by
this report. Some religious groups reported delays in and denials of
registration. There continued to be some limitations on the ability
of groups to import religious literature. Most religious groups met
without government interference; however, local authorities monitored
religious services, and officials at times harassed and detained
members of Islamic and "nontraditional" religious groups."
The reports says that the U.S. Government discusses religious freedom
with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human
rights. According to official figures approximately 96 percent
of the population is Muslim. Among the Muslim majority, religious
observance is relatively low, and Muslim identity tends to be based
more on culture and ethnicity than religion; however, there has been
a gradual growth in the number of observant Muslims. According to
the State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA), the
Muslim population is approximately 65 percent Shi'a and 35 percent
Sunni; traditionally, differences are not defined sharply.
The Constitution provides that persons of all faiths may choose
and practice their religion without restriction. Authorities
generally permitted expatriate members of Christian groups in Baku
to worship freely, but Azerbaijani Christian communities encountered
obstacles. The Baptist churches in Neftchala and Aliabad (the latter
has sought registration for approximately 15 years) were not able to
obtain registration, with local notaries in Aliabad refusing to certify
the Aliabad congregation's registration applications. Authorities
prevented Muslims from wearing headscarves in passport photos and
other official identity documents. Individuals are not forbidden from
wearing headscarves in educational facilities or at state facilities,
according to the law.
According to the report, hostility between Armenians and Azerbaijanis,
intensified by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, remained strong. In
those areas of the country controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists,
all ethnic Azeris have fled, and the mosques that were not destroyed
remained inactive.
Azeri Press Agency
20 Sep 2008 12:35
Azerbaijan
Tamara Grigoryeva- APA. U.S. Department of State has released
International Religious Freedom Report 2008, APA reports quoting
official website of the Department of State.
The report says that the Constitution provides for freedom of religion,
and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free
practice of religion. "There was no change in the status of respect
for religious freedom by the Government during the period covered by
this report. Some religious groups reported delays in and denials of
registration. There continued to be some limitations on the ability
of groups to import religious literature. Most religious groups met
without government interference; however, local authorities monitored
religious services, and officials at times harassed and detained
members of Islamic and "nontraditional" religious groups."
The reports says that the U.S. Government discusses religious freedom
with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human
rights. According to official figures approximately 96 percent
of the population is Muslim. Among the Muslim majority, religious
observance is relatively low, and Muslim identity tends to be based
more on culture and ethnicity than religion; however, there has been
a gradual growth in the number of observant Muslims. According to
the State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA), the
Muslim population is approximately 65 percent Shi'a and 35 percent
Sunni; traditionally, differences are not defined sharply.
The Constitution provides that persons of all faiths may choose
and practice their religion without restriction. Authorities
generally permitted expatriate members of Christian groups in Baku
to worship freely, but Azerbaijani Christian communities encountered
obstacles. The Baptist churches in Neftchala and Aliabad (the latter
has sought registration for approximately 15 years) were not able to
obtain registration, with local notaries in Aliabad refusing to certify
the Aliabad congregation's registration applications. Authorities
prevented Muslims from wearing headscarves in passport photos and
other official identity documents. Individuals are not forbidden from
wearing headscarves in educational facilities or at state facilities,
according to the law.
According to the report, hostility between Armenians and Azerbaijanis,
intensified by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, remained strong. In
those areas of the country controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists,
all ethnic Azeris have fled, and the mosques that were not destroyed
remained inactive.