SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now officially registered in the Republic of Azerbaijan after starting the registration process in the second half of 2023.
“This is a significant step for the Church in the country,” a press release from the church states. “It provides for a body that is officially recognized by the government of Azerbaijan to act for the Church in the Baku area. The Church currently has a small group of members meeting regularly in the city.”
The church has reportedly been building a rapport with Azerbaijan officials and religious leaders since 2015. Fast forward nearly 10 years, on April 30, 2024, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles held a high-level meeting with the president of the Azerbaijan — Ilham Aliyev.
The meeting was held to discuss mutual interests, including the church’s registration.
President Aliyev reportedly discussed Azerbaijan’s contributions to “intercultural and interfaith dialogue,” the release states. “He mentioned that historically, representatives from different cultures and religions in Azerbaijan have coexisted harmoniously as a unified family.”
Elder Bednar also participated in what’s known as the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue — a high-level conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1-3, 2024. Over 1,000 representatives from “governments, international organizations, religious groups, scholars and civic society leaders from all over the world” attended the event, according to the church.
“The commonalities I have observed among peoples of diverse backgrounds, faith traditions, and cultures are truly remarkable. Our commonalities should be more powerful than our differences,” Elder Bednar stated in his address at the conference.
Said to be “one of the most prominent religious leaders of the Caucasus,” Sheik ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade also attended the conference. The sheik had reportedly met with President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks, and President Henry B. Eyring at the LDS Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City during October of 2023.
The sheik had discussed “topics of common interest such as religious freedom, peace, and cooperation” with the First Presidency, a church official said. It was then that he invited LDS Church leaders to visit Azerbaijan.
“President Aliyev, Chairman Mammadov, Sheik ul-Islam and many others were instrumental in this wonderful outcome for the Church, and their actions show that together we can all promote harmony, regardless of religion or cultural background,” Elder Gerard stated at the conference.
The Church has reportedly participated in humanitarian efforts in Azerbaijan since 1997. These efforts include “providing relief aid, wheelchairs, clean water, and education projects” to communities throughout the country, according to the church. The organization has supported over 70 of these humanitarian projects.
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