Church Officially Registered in the Republic of Azerbaijan

The State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan notified The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that the registration process, which had started in the second half of 2023, was concluded successfully.

This is a significant step for the Church in the country. It provides for a body that is officially recognized by the government of Azerbaijan to act for the Church in the Baku area. The Church currently has a small group of members meeting regularly in the city.

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Since 2015, the Church has developed a respectful and cordial relationship with Azerbaijan officials and religious leaders. On 30 April 2024, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had a high-level meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to discuss mutual interests including the church’s registration.

The Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, Ramin Mammadov, was also in attendance, as well as other representatives of the Church, including Elder Jack N. Gerard, second counselor in the Europe Central Area of the Church. In the meeting, President Aliyev touched on Azerbaijan's contributions to intercultural and interfaith dialogue. He mentioned that historically, representatives from different cultures and religions in Azerbaijan have coexisted harmoniously as a unified family.

While in Azerbaijan, Elder Bednar participated in the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue that was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 1-3 May 2024. The high-level conference, co-organized by Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), operated under the theme “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity,” and gathered more than 1,000 representatives from governments, international organizations, religious groups, scholars and civic society leaders from all over the world.

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Elder Bednar mentioned in his address that in his role as an Apostle, he had been blessed to visit more than 110 nations. He said that “the commonalities I have observed among peoples of diverse backgrounds, faith traditions, and cultures are truly remarkable. Our commonalities should be more powerful than our differences,” he said.

One of the most prominent religious leaders of the Caucasus, Sheik ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, also participated in the conference. Previously, in October 2023, Sheik ul-Islam, who is the leader of the Muslims in the Caucasus, had paid a visit to the First Presidency of the Church.

They met at the headquarters of the Church, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and discussed with President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring, topics of common interest such as religious freedom, peace, and cooperation. On that occasion, he invited Church leaders to visit the country of Azerbaijan.

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Reflecting on the significance of this registration for the Church, Elder Gerard thanked the representatives of the government of Azerbaijan for their help in the process. “President Aliyev, Chairman Mammadov, Sheik ul-Islam and many others were instrumental in this wonderful outcome for the Church, and their actions show that together we can all promote harmony, regardless of religion or cultural background.”

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Over the last several years, beginning in 1997, the Church has participated in humanitarian efforts in Azerbaijan, providing relief aid, wheelchairs, clean water, and education projects to various communities. More than 70 humanitarian projects have been supported by the Church. Some of these projects have been carried out with the help of other organizations, including the Stirling Foundation.