Azerbaijani official highlights secularism, religious freedom during Oguz religious sites tour PHOTO

Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions Ramin Mammadov has recently visited key religious sites in Oguz, meeting with faith leaders to discuss the state policy on secularism, religious freedom, and equality for all faiths.

Among the sites were the Juma Mosque, the Yukhari Mahalla Synagogue, and the Albanian Church of Saint Eliseus, also known as the Big Church, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

During his visit, Mammadov highlighted that the Azerbaijani government is committed to supporting all religious communities and ensuring their freedom to worship.

"Under the leadership of our president, substantial steps are being taken to restore and reconstruct places of worship," Mammadov said. "The government is creating an environment where all religious denominations can operate freely, while also prioritising the protection of religious freedoms and the promotion of multicultural values."

Earlier, Mammadov said that both Islamic and Christian cultural and religious monuments and sanctities were destroyed as a result of over 28 years of occupation and military aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan.

He emphasised Azerbaijan's efforts to strengthen solidarity between religions and promote interfaith dialogue. The representatives of various religious communities in Azerbaijan have historically lived in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect.

The committee chairman also spoke about the ongoing restoration work in the liberated territories following the second Karabakh war, highlighting the importance of these efforts for the revival of the region.

By Naila Huseynova