State Committee slams destruction of Azerbaijani religious monuments due to Armenian occupation PHOTO

Chairman of the Azerbaijani State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions Ramin Mammadov has 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.

Mammadov made these remarks during a meeting in Rabat with Morocco's Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq and Senior Advisor to King Mohammed VI André Azoulay, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

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.

The meeting participants praised Azerbaijan's initiatives to strengthen interfaith and intercultural ties, acknowledging that the country serves as a global example of multiculturalism. 

The liberation of the Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation in 2020 and 2023 and the full restoration of sovereignty have created opportunities for peace between the two countries.

However, Armenia continues maintaining territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Constitution, as well as in other legislative acts. 

The Declaration of Independence adopted by Armenia on August 23, 1990, refers to the act of the Supreme Council of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic of December 1, 1989, which considered Karabakh to be an integral part of Armenia. This claim was later reflected in the preamble of the Constitution adopted on July 5, 1995, and was retained during the amendments to the Constitution on November 27, 2005 and December 6, 2015.

By Naila Huseynova