State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations (Azerbaijan)
Encyclopedia
The State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic , also known as State Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan
in charge of regulation of activities of religious organizations and ensuring freedom of religion in Azerbaijan
. The ministry is headed by Hidayat Orujov
.
on religious freedoms by the Presidential
Decree No. 512 to supervise the activities of religious organizations in the country as well as protect, create conditions for and guarantee religious freedoms to citizens and residents of Azerbaijan. Since the inception of the committee, 425 religious communities have been registered to act in Azerbaijan, with 408 being Islamic, 17 - non Islamic (9 Christian, 6 Jewish, 1 Krishna, 1-Bahai).
All religious organizations have to register with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations before any sort of religious practice is introduced by those organizations.
Cabinet of Azerbaijan
The Cabinet of Azerbaijan is the chief executive body of the Republic of Azerbaijan.-The Executive Power:The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state....
in charge of regulation of activities of religious organizations and ensuring freedom of religion in Azerbaijan
Freedom of religion in Azerbaijan
The Constitution provides that persons of all faiths may choose and practice their religion without restriction; however, there were some abuses and restrictions. Some religious groups reported delays in and denials of registration. As in previous years, there continued to be some limitations upon...
. The ministry is headed by Hidayat Orujov
Hidayat Orujov
Hidayat Orujov Khudush oglu is a notable writer and an Azerbaijani politician serving as the Chairman of State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic.-Ealy life:...
.
History
The committee was established on June 21, 2001 in accordance with the Clause 48 of the Constitution of AzerbaijanConstitution of Azerbaijan
The Constitution of Azerbaijan was adopted on 12 November 1995 by popular referendum and amended on 24 August 2002. It carries the "highest legal force" in Azerbaijan as per article 147.-Preamble:...
on religious freedoms by the Presidential
President of Azerbaijan
The country of Azerbaijan is a presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government...
Decree No. 512 to supervise the activities of religious organizations in the country as well as protect, create conditions for and guarantee religious freedoms to citizens and residents of Azerbaijan. Since the inception of the committee, 425 religious communities have been registered to act in Azerbaijan, with 408 being Islamic, 17 - non Islamic (9 Christian, 6 Jewish, 1 Krishna, 1-Bahai).
Structure
The committee is headed by its Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Head of Administration. Main functions of the committee are creating conditions for practising of religion in Azerbaijan; supervision of accordance of religious practice with the legislature on religious freedoms; registration of religious organizations, supervising changes to be made to charters of these organizations; assistance to religious organizations with various issues; creating interfaith dialogue between these religious organizations; creation an information database and analysis based on data and statistics from religious organizations; participation in international conferences on religious movements, forums; analysis of education programs prepared by religious schools; creating conditions for religious pilgrimages to other countries for citizens of Azerbaijan and receiving approvals from states where the sacred religious places are located.All religious organizations have to register with the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations before any sort of religious practice is introduced by those organizations.