Azerbaijan Institute of Theology marks its second anniversary
On February 12, 2020, Azerbaijan Institute of Theology (AIT) held an event dedicated to its second anniversary.
Welcoming the event attendees, AIT rector Jeyhun Mammadov stressed that , Azerbaijan Institute of Theology was established by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s Decree dated February 9, 2018 under the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The primary goal of the establishment of the Institute is to prepare religious researchers who will preserve and develop religious and spiritual environment based on the historical traditions of the Azerbaijani people and the logical result of the state policy.
Mentioning outstanding model of state-religion relation of Azerbaijan, J.Mammadov emphasized that National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s policy is successfully pursued by President Ilham Aliyev and Heydar Aliyev Foundation led by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva who pays special attention to this field.AIT rector stressed that the establishment of the Institute indicates the importance attached to state-religion relations and national values.
J.Mammadov informed the participants about the work carried out in the past two years, activity directions of the Institute and its goals.
The Rector noted that Azerbaijan Institute of Theology has several goals and objectives. Educating specialists who have profound secular knowledge and strong personality meeting the requirements of the modern world is one of the most important tasks, “We conduct various projects, discussions, competitions, conferences and trainings to educate such specialists. We benefit from the experience of other countries in this field. We want our students to become specialists who possess profound knowledge, high intelligence and rich world outlook.”
Fuad Nurullayev, Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, conveyed Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade’s blessings to the AIT staff. He mentioned the establishment of Azerbaijan Institute of Theology as a significant event for the country. F.Nurullayev said that the decision was right and appropriate, especially amid the ongoing political processes in the world in recent years. Noting the need for people who have received religious education, F.Nurullayev said that the Institute will grow worthy graduates who will contribute to the religious life in Azerbaijan.
Gunduz Ismayilov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, highly appreciated the activities of AIT in terms of educating highly qualified religious theologians and Islamic specialists who are deeply knowledgeable both about Islam and other world religions. He noted that he had positive thoughts and expectations about the Institute. Stressing that there are enough religious education institutions in the region, the Deputy Chairman expressed his hope that Azerbaijan Institute of Theology would be able to prove itself in this competitive environment.
He noted that religious freedom in Azerbaijan, the tradition of religious tolerance and multiculturalism that has existed for centuries, have priority directions of state policy. In this regard, the establishment of Azerbaijan Institute of Theology is a clear indication that President Ilham Aliyev attaches particular importance to the development of the idea of Azerbaijan and the preservation of national and moral values.