Russian Empire and Soviet Union Islam in Azerbaijan

in 1806, azerbaijan became occupied russian empire latter invaded qajar iran during russo-persian war (1804-1813). in aftermath, iran forced cede therefore of nowadays azerbaijan according treaty of gulistan of 1813 russia. however, came confirmed in aftermath of next , last war between russia , iran, russo-persian war (1826-1828) , resulting treaty of turkmenchay of 1828. in 1918, azerbaijan declared independence russia , established azerbaijan democratic republic under leading musavat party, incorporated soviet union in 1920.

before soviet power established, 2,000 mosques active in azerbaijan. mosques closed in 1930s, allowed reopen during world war ii. soviet rule promoted azerbaijani national consciousness substitute identification world islamic community.

during world war ii, soviet authorities established muslim spiritual board of transcaucasia in baku governing body of islam in caucasus, in effect reviving nineteenth-century tsarist muslim ecclesiastical board. during tenures of leonid brezhnev , mikhail gorbachev, moscow encouraged muslim religious leaders in azerbaijan visit , host foreign muslim leaders, goal of advertising freedom of religion , superior living conditions reportedly enjoyed muslims under soviet communism.

during azerbaijani ssr, there 17 mosques functioning in country. in 1980s 2 large , 5 smaller mosques held services in baku, , eleven others operating in rest of country. supplementing officially sanctioned mosques thousands of private houses of prayer , many secret islamic sects.

the lone center of conservative shia islam, town of nardaran, 25 kilometers northeast of central baku, , renowned thirteenth-century shia shrine. unlike rest of country staunchly secular , can considered religiously progressive, nardaran place in whole of azerbaijan inhabitants devoutly religious , fundamentalist, streets display religious banners , women wear chadors in public. banned islamic party of azerbaijan founded in town , base centered there.

there evidence of sufism in azerbaijan.