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Aserbaidschan: Aliyev repeals ban on religious activity of citizens trained abroad

29. Juni 2017
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev approved amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion on 22 June, which lift certain restrictions on the activity of Azerbaijani citizens who received religious training abroad. Amendments to Article 1 prohibit foreigners and stateless persons to conduct religious propaganda in Azerbaijan, with the exception of clerics invited to Azerbaijan by a religious center. Amendments to Article 21 permit the performance of Islamic ceremonies and rites by Azerbaijani citizens who received religious training abroad. The Caucasian Muslims Office will authorize such activity with the consent of relevant executive agencies. Azerbaijani citizens trained in religious schools abroad were until now prohibited from conduct religious rites in the republic.

Amendments to Article 24 say that Azerbaijani citizens will be sent to foreign religious schools, student and professor exchange programs will be carried out between religious schools, and exchanges between clerics and religious affairs specialists will be provided by a religious center with the consent of relevant executive authorities. (Quelle: www.interfax-religion.ru, 22. Juni 2017)