“Seeing is believing”: Hajiyev shows Ganjasar, Khudavang churches to diplomats VIDEO

Azerbaijan’s Presidential Assistant Hikmet Hajiyev has shown members of the diplomatic corps the historic Ganjasar and Khudavang churches during their visit to Karabakh, highlighting the sites’ place in Azerbaijan’s Christian and cultural heritage.

Hajiyev, who heads the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration, shared footage of the visit on X, noting that the two churches are part of the ancient Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania, Caliber.Az reports. 

Together with the diplomatic corps, we visited the Ganjasar and Khudavang churches — an integral part of the ancient Albanian Christian heritage.

Ganjasar was established in the 13th century by Hasan-Jalal Dawla, the Caucasian Albanian ruler, and stands as an important testament… pic.twitter.com/7zImxKeaaO

— Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) September 12, 2026

“Ganjasar was established in the 13th century by Hasan-Jalal Dawla, the Caucasian Albanian ruler, and stands as an important testament to the centuries-old Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania,” he wrote on X. 

He also said that historical and religious monuments across Azerbaijan, regardless of their origin or religious affiliation, form part of the country’s cultural heritage. Hajiyev stressed that the Azerbaijani government is committed to their preservation, protection and restoration.

“During the years of occupation, these monuments were subjected to external interventions under the guise of makeshift ‘restoration,’ compromising their architectural authenticity and original character,” he reminded. 

The Azerbaijani official said the country’s approach to protecting its multicultural and multireligious heritage had received international recognition and that Baku was ready to share its experience with neighbouring countries.

Addressing media outlets that have reported misleading information about the sites, Hajiyev invited journalists to visit the churches and assess their condition firsthand.

“We also invite media outlets engaged in spreading fake news and misleading narratives on this issue to visit these sites and see the reality on the ground for themselves. Seeing is believing,” he wrote.

By Sabina Mammadli