Hidayat Orujov: We are seriously concerned over the establishment of Georgian Muslims Board

Chairman of the State Committee for Religious Associations Hidayat Orujov received special representative of Georgian Patriarch, episcope of Khornabuji and Hereti eparchies of the Georgian Orthodox Church Arkadi Khachidze and Georgian ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Teymuraz Sharashenidze.

The committee’s press service told APA that bilateral religious relations, current state of Georgian orthodox temples in Azerbaijan and the activity of their religious communities were discussed at the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the issues of mutual interest. Hidayat Orujov said all conditions have been created in Azerbaijan for all confessions, including Georgian Orthodox religious communities, added that there is no problem in this field. He said that the State Committee registered two Georgian Orthodox religious communities in Gakh region.

Chairman of the state committee said that unlike the Georgians living in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia have serious problems.

"Unfortunately, some of these problems still remain unsolved. Moreover, the establishment of the Georgian Muslims Board caused discontent of our compatriots. This is unexpected for us and we are concerned over it. Georgia and Azerbaijan have always been friendly neighbors, our people have always been friends and brothers. That’s why such facts cause regret. I would like you to inform Patriarch Ilia II about our concern," he said.

Orujov said non-Islamic religious communities in Azerbaijan are given the right to be subordinated to their centers abroad. He said clergymen appointed by these centers are functioning in these religious communities.

"No restrictions have been imposed on the communities. These conditions have been created for even the religious communities, which have very few members," he said.

Hidayat Orujov spoke about the crosses placed in the villages populated by Azerbaijanis in Georgia and said this caused discontent of our compatriots. He noted that he discussed this issue with Patriarch Ilia II, senior officials of Georgia and governor of Kvemo Kartli David Kirkitadze during his official visit to Georgia in 2009. Promises were given to solve the problem, but no serious steps have been taken yet. Other issues were also discussed during the meeting.


/APA/