Though nations representing different religions live within the frontiers of Azerbaijan, our country has become a model of tolerance to a number of countries. To preserve beliefs and traditions of representatives of various religions inhabited in Azerbaijan along centuries, our country has paid huge importance to establish a dialogue of religions and cultures. Existence of a mosque, a church, a synagogue in one town indicates the level of tolerance in that country.  

According to Paragraph 3 of Article 25 of Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the state ensures equality of rights and freedoms of everybody irrespective of race, nationality, religion, language, gender, origin, state of property, service position, faith, membership in political parties, trade unions and other public unions. Article 48 comments the freedom of religion and mentions the principle of respect to religious belief of everyone, which is assessed as an important step towards the formation of tolerant environment in the country. 

The Constitution affirms Azerbaijan as a secular state, however since the majority of population is Muslims, the country is known as a Muslim country. Though Armenians have occupied 20% of our territory and destroyed our historical monuments, including mosques in those territories, an Armenian-Gregorian church in Azerbaijan is respected and safeguarded as a historical monument.   

In this respect, the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions created in the Republic of Azerbaijan fulfills necessary control on the existing religious situation in the country and cooperates with respective international organizations to prevent religious discrimination, tension among religious communities, regulate relationship between state and religion.   

Religious tolerance in our country was discussed in the event held on June 15, 2013 in Bordeaux, France on the theme of religious tolerance in Azerbaijan and valued as a model to France and some other European countries. The unique policy multilaterally developing Azerbaijan pursues in this sphere demonstrates the historical experience of our country.