History Islam in Azerbaijan

islam arrived in azerbaijan arabs in seventh century, gradually supplanting christianity , pagan cults.

in sixteenth century, first shah of safavid dynasty, ismail (r. 1486-1524), established shi islam state religion, although portion of people remained sunni. population of nowadays iran , nowadays azerbaijan converted shia islam @ same moment in history. elsewhere in muslim world, 2 branches of islam came conflict in azerbaijan. enforcement of shi islam state religion brought contention between safavid rulers , ruling sunnis of neighboring ottoman empire.

in nineteenth century, many sunni muslims emigrated russian-controlled azerbaijan because of russia s series of wars coreligionists in ottoman empire. thus, late nineteenth century, shi population in majority in russian azerbaijan. antagonism between sunnis , shi diminished in late nineteenth century azerbaijani nationalism began emphasize common turkic heritage , opposition iranian religious influences.

russian empire , soviet union

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.

islamic revival

a mosque in baku.



a stone-age cave converted mosque in gobustan, azerbaijan.

gradually, during soviet imperial twilight, signs of religious reawakening not multiplied surfaced open. according soviet sources, during late 1970s around 1,000 clandestine houses of prayer in use, , 300 places of pilgrimage identifiable. growth proved prelude public openings of hundreds of mosques in following decade.

beginning in late gorbachev period, , after independence, number of mosques rose dramatically. many built support of other islamic countries, such iran, oman, , saudi arabia, contributed qur ans , religious instructors new muslim states. muslim seminary has been established since 1991. growing number of religious muslims resulted in establishment of more 2,000 mosques 2014.

after independence, laws regarding religion quite clear. in article 7 of constitution, azerbaijan declared secular state. point driven home in article 19 statement of separation of religion , state , equality of religions before law secular character of state educational system.

azerbaijan has been secular country. 1998 survey estimated proportion of ardent believers in azerbaijan @ close 7 percent, more number of declared atheists — 4 percent — largest numbers falling category of consider islam above way of life, without strict observance of prohibitions , requirements, or fundamental part of national identity. in 2010 survey half of azerbaijanis answering yes question, religion important part of daily life?

secular politicians in azerbaijan have raised concerns rise of political islam, others argue islam in azerbaijan multifaceted phenomenon. islam plays limited role in political sphere , small part of population supports idea of establishing islamic order . due long tradition of secularism in azerbaijan , fact nationalistic opposition movement secular in character. yet, according analysts, on longer run, if politicians not manage improve conditions of life of vast majority of people, population may express discontent through political islam.