Religious communities in Azerbaijan: Fight against extremist groups must strengthen

"Certain forces are interested in spreading harmful religious trends, illegal books and religious texts in CD format," the Advisory Council at the State Committee for Religious Associations told Trend News.

The Advisory Council chairman is State Committee for Religious Associations head Hidayat Orujov. The council members include Caucasus Muslims Clerical Office Deputy Chairmen Salman Musayev, Sabir Hasanli, Russian Orthodox Church Baku and Caspian Littoral Eparchy Bishop Aleksandr Ishein and Jewish Community head Gennadi Zelmanovich, Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan Superior Jan Chapla and Mountain Jews Religious Community representative Semyon Shalmeyev.

There are 553 religious communities in Azerbaijan.

The council members said the religious situation is stable in Azerbaijan, and the country's religious policies are effective.

"The Azerbaijani government's contribution to a stable religious situation was emphasized at the meeting," the committee said.

/Trend News/