All religious communities to be re-registered in Azerbaijan

He said that it became necessary after amendments and annexes were made to the law on “Freedom of religion”. He said according to the legislation, all the religious communities registered and functioning in the country must be re-registered by January 2010. Ismayilov said several more documents were required for the registration of religious communities.
“Every religious community must give a reference about the date of its establishment, teaching and attitude towards secular education. The registered communities must be registered by January, 2010,” he said.

Gunduz Ismayilov also said according to the legislation, religious communities can not function without registration. He said the amendments and annexes to the law will have positive influence on the religious situation in the country.

534 religious communities have been registered in Azerbaijan up to now, 32 of them are non-Islamic.

/APA/