AIT instructor’s book has been published

AIT instructor PhD Asaf Ganbarov’s book entitled Sociology of Religion has been published by the decision of the Academic Council of Azerbaijan Institute of Theology and support of the Fund for Propagation of Spiritual Values under the subordination of The State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The author of the book states in the preface that the primary reason for the publication of the book is the lack of researches concerning sociology of religion in Azerbaijani and absence of a book on this topic. The author notes that the book will give an overview of the sociology of religion, increase the interest of researchers in this area and contribute to the enrichment of scholarly literature in the field of religious studies.

The book is intended for researchers, sociologists, religious scholars, teachers of higher education institutions, students as well as a wide range of readers.

The book consists of three parts: Introduction to Sociology, Sociology of Religion as a Science and Main Directions of Sociological Concept of Religion. It presents chapters on various issues of the sociology of religion such as the History of the Formation of the Sociology of Religion; Religion as a Social Phenomenon; Structure and Types of Religious Groups; Modernization Process and Its Interrelation with Religious Institute; Sociology of New Religious Movements; Sociological Analysis of State-Religion Relations; Multiculturalism, Ethnicity and Religion as well as other interesting topics.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan Institute of Theology carries out a number of projects concerning the publication of books and textbooks. The project of Theological Publications includes the publication of books by the Institute teachers and specialists working in this field. The Institute aims to investigate the issues in the field of theology as well as conduct and publish researches that meet international requirements.