Exploring Azerbaijan's Religious Identity: Shia Or Sunni?

Azerbaijan is a secular country with a majority Muslim population. Islam is the main religion, with 93-99% of the country's population identifying as Muslim. Of these, a majority belong to the Shia branch (55-65%), while a significant minority (35-45%) are Sunni. The differences between these two branches of Islam have not been sharply defined in Azerbaijan, with Sunni and Shia Muslims praying together in the country's largest mosque, the Heydar Mosque.

Shia Muslims make up the majority in Azerbaijan

Historically, Shia Islam has been prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of the country, with villages around Baku and the Lankaran region considered Shia strongholds. In contrast, Sunni Islam is dominant in the northern regions. The population of what is now Iran and Azerbaijan were converted to Shia Islam at the same time in history, when the first shah of the Safavid Dynasty, Ismail I, established it as the state religion in the 16th century. However, a portion of the population remained Sunni, and conflicts arose between the Safavid rulers and the ruling Sunnis of the neighbouring Ottoman Empire.

In the 19th century, many Sunni Muslims emigrated from Russian-controlled Azerbaijan due to Russia's wars with the Ottoman Empire, leading to a Shia majority in Russian Azerbaijan by the late 19th century. Antagonism between Sunnis and Shias diminished as Azerbaijani nationalism emphasised a common Turkic heritage and opposition to Iranian religious influences. During Soviet rule, Muslim religious affiliation in Azerbaijan became largely cultural and ethnic rather than religious, and the country maintained a secular position.

Today, Azerbaijan continues to be a secular state, with Article 7 of the Azerbaijani constitution declaring the country secular and Article 18 establishing the separation of religion and state, as well as the equality of all religions before the law. While the majority of the Muslim population in Azerbaijan is Shia, the differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims are not sharply emphasised, and both groups have lived together in harmony for centuries in Baku, praying together in mosques like the Heydar Mosque, a symbol of peace, tolerance, and unity.

Sunni Muslims make up a significant minority

Azerbaijan is a secular country, but Islam is the majority religion. While the country is majority Shia, with estimates ranging from 55-65% of the population, Sunni Muslims make up a significant minority, with estimates ranging from 35-45%.

The differences between the two branches of Islam have not been sharply defined in Azerbaijan, and Sunni and Shia Muslims have lived together in harmony for centuries in Baku. In fact, at the Heydar Mosque in Baku, Sunni and Shia Muslims pray together every Friday.

The majority of Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan follow the Ja'fari school of Shia Islam, while Sunni Muslims typically adhere to the Hanafi or Shafi'i school. Due to decades of Soviet atheist policy, religious affiliation in Azerbaijan is often nominal and based more on culture and ethnicity than on religion.

Shia Islam is prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of the country, particularly in villages around Baku and the Lankaran region. In contrast, Sunni Islam is dominant in the northern regions.

Both Sunnis and Shias pray together in Azerbaijan's Heydar Mosque

Azerbaijan is considered the most secular country in the Muslim world. The majority of the population identify as Muslim, with a majority of these adhering to the Shia branch (60-65%) and a significant minority (35-40%) being Sunni. Shia Islam is prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of the country, and Sunni Islam in the northern regions.

Despite the differences between the two branches of Islam, members of both sects have lived together in harmony for centuries in Baku. This is exemplified in the Heydar Mosque, where Sunni and Shia Muslims pray together every Friday. The mosque is named after Heydar Aliyev, the founder of modern Azerbaijan and its third president, and was opened in 2014. It is the largest mosque in Azerbaijan and the entire Caucasus, covering 12,000 square meters. The mosque is a symbol of peace, tolerance, and unity, with Sunni and Shia Muslims coming together to pray.

Arif Novruzov, a Sunni Muslim who prays at the mosque, says, "Our mosque — the Heydar Mosque is unique, everyone here is equal — there is no difference — Sunni or Shia." This sentiment is echoed by Rufar Garayev, a Shia Muslim who attends the mosque: "I am a Shia Muslim. That's my choice. But we also have Sunni Muslims in Azerbaijan, and we see them as our brothers. This is our lifestyle, it's always been and always will be. Unlike other countries, there's stability in our country."

The Caucasian Muslim Office appointed Imam Hafiz Abbasov and Akhund Rufet Garayev for the Sunni and Shia sects, respectively, further demonstrating the unity and harmony between the two denominations in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is considered the most secular country in the Muslim world

The Muslim population of Azerbaijan is predominantly Shia (55-65%), with a significant Sunni minority (35-45%). However, the differences between these two branches of Islam have not been sharply defined in the country. Traditionally, religious affiliation in Azerbaijan has been more cultural and ethnic rather than religious, due to decades of Soviet atheist policy. As a result, many Azerbaijanis associate with Islam as a way of life or a part of their national identity rather than a purely religious identity.

The secular nature of Azerbaijan can be seen in the country's mosques, where Shia and Sunni Muslims pray together in places like the Heydar Mosque in Baku. This mosque has become a symbol of peace, tolerance, and unity, with both Shia and Sunni Muslims coming together every Friday for prayers.

While there has been a rise in religious extremism in recent years due to various social and economic factors, Azerbaijan remains a largely secular country, with a strong tradition of religious tolerance and freedom of religion. The country's secularism is further evidenced by the presence of other religious minorities, such as Christians, Jews, and Hindus, who coexist peacefully with the Muslim majority.

In summary, Azerbaijan is considered the most secular country in the Muslim world due to its strong constitutional secularism, the relatively low importance of religion in daily life, and the peaceful coexistence of various religious groups, including the Shia and Sunni Muslims who make up the majority of the country's population.

Shia Islam is prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of the country

Azerbaijan is a secular country, but it is also a Muslim-majority country. Islam is the prevailing religion, with 93-99% of the population identifying as Muslim. Of these, a majority belong to the Shia branch (55-65%), while a significant minority (35-45%) are Sunni.

The differences between these two branches of Islam have not been sharply defined in Azerbaijan. Traditionally, religious affiliation in Azerbaijan is largely cultural and ethnic rather than religious. This is due to the many decades of Soviet atheist policy that was enforced during the time the country was part of the Soviet Union.

The Ja'fari school of Shia Islam is followed by most Shia Muslims in the country. Sunni Muslims, on the other hand, typically adhere to either the Hanafi or Shafi'i school.

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