And we are very glad with intensive development of Azerbaijan. It has been home to legendary jazz musicians like Vagif Mustafazadeh, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, Rafig Babayev and Rain Sultanov. Under Communism, the Soviets took over the majority of Jewish property in Baku and Kuba. An individual close to the family told Forum 18, The parents chose the name for religious reasons. For example, Baptist communities in the towns of Zagatala and Shirvan did not have sufficient members to apply for legal registration. [10] While the estimates identify 9399% of Azerbaijan's population as adherents of Islam,[11][12][13] the importance of religion on everyday life remains low. The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050; The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity; The Global Religious Landscape; Capital Baku Population (2010) 9,190,000 Annual population growth rate (2000-2010) 1.3% Population gain (2000-2010) 1,077,000 GDP per capita $5,016 (US) persons), Note: More information about the population of Baku and surrounding settlements can be found at the website of the Statistics Office of Baku https://www.baku.azstat.org/index.php, More information about the population of Baku and surrounding settlements can be found at the website of the Statistics Office of Baku. But officials refused and insisted they choose an Azeri name.. As of 2011[update], 1,000 black cabs are ordered by Baku Taxi Company, and as part of a programme originally announced by the Transport Ministry of Azerbaijan, there is a plan to introduce London cabs into Baku. [127], Sea transport is vital for Baku, as the city is practically surrounded by the Caspian Sea to the east. The constitution states no one may be required to profess his or her religious beliefs or be persecuted for them; the law prohibits forced expressions or demonstrations of religious faith. Soon after, investors appeared in Baku, including the Nobel Brothers in 1873 and the Rothschilds in 1882. Baku, capital of Azerbaijan and also largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. The boulevard contains an amusement park, yacht club, musical fountain, statues and monuments. January 19, 2015 One of the men said authorities physically abused him during his detention. In 2007 the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, was opened. Baku is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Caucasus, with hotels in the city earning 7million euros in 2009. [19] In 1604 Shah Abbas I (r.15881629) destroyed Baku fortress. The released individuals included two religious activists whom human rights advocates considered political prisoners, including one person arrested after a large November 2015 police operation targeting members of MUM. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Jews live in Baku, with smaller communities throughout the country. and more. The Baku International Sea Trade Port is capable of handling two million tonnes of general and dry bulk cargoes per year.[11]. In a program intended to empower women involved in work with religious organizations, the embassy sponsored the travel of a group of five female employees working for the SCWRA and CMB to the United States from March 4 to March 13. [80] Baku also has many museums such as Baku Museum of Modern Art and Azerbaijan State Museum of History, most notably featuring historical artifacts and art. Audrey Altstadt, Conflict, Cleavage and Change in Central Asia and the Caucasus, lowest lying national capital in the world, 1942 Nazi German invasion of the southwestern Soviet Union, Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church, Baku, Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators, Azerbaijan State Theatre of Musical Comedy, Library of the Armenian Philanthropic Society, Azerbaijan National Carpet and Arts Museum, Heydar Aliyev Sports and Exhibition Complex, Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, 2005 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Azerbaijan Women's Volleyball Super League, Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University, List of twin towns and sister cities in Azerbaijan, "Administrative, density and territorial units and land size by economic regions of Azerbaijan Republic for January 1. Winter snow storms are occasional; snow usually melts within a few days after each snowfall. On June 22, police detained MUM member Shamil Hasanov. In these cases, as well as in earlier cases where the government admitted culpability, the victims said they were concerned by both the low level of compensation the government offered and what they saw as its failure to change the laws to ensure similar violations did not occur again. During Soviet times, Baku, with its long hours of sunshine and dry healthy climate, was a vacation destination where citizens could enjoy beaches or relax in now-dilapidated spa complexes overlooking the Caspian Sea. During 44 days of intensive fighting in the fall in and around Nagorno-Karabakh involving Armenia, Armenia-supported separatists, and Azerbaijan, significant casualties and atrocities were reported by all sides. Roman Catholic confession . During the year, authorities placed multiple members of MUM under administrative arrest for allegedly violating the COVID-19 quarantine regime and resisting police. For example, on March 21, the Sabunchu District Court sentenced Samir Babayev to 30 days of administrative arrest. When the Church of Zoravor St. Astvatsatsin was constructed in 2017 by Armenia-supported de facto authorities as a military chapel, Azerbaijan formally protested the construction on occupied lands in a depopulated area as a violation of international humanitarian law. Baku is long attested under the Perso-Arabic name (Bk). Today there are over 400500 Hindus in Azerbaijan. We speak Azeri Turkish which pretty mutually intelligible with Istanbul Turkish. About 95% of the population is Muslim. Civil society representatives stated citizens continued to tolerate traditional minority religious groups (i.e., those historically present in the country), including Jews, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics; however, groups viewed as nontraditional were often viewed with suspicion and mistrust. In addition, there are the Baku Music Academy and the Azerbaijan National Conservatoire in Baku established in the early 1920s. Authorities continued legal action against individuals associated with the unregistered group MUM. In ancient times Bairamali Hamam was called "Bey Hamam". Groups that together constitute the remaining 4 percent of the population include the Russian Orthodox Church; Georgian Orthodox Church; Armenian Apostolic Church; Seventh-day Adventists; Molokan Church; Roman Catholic Church; other Christians, including evangelical churches, Baptists and Jehovahs Witnesses; Jews; and Bahais. Publicly run kindergartens and elementary schools (years 1 through 11) are operated by local wards or municipal offices. who in turn make up the majority of the Alevi population, an Islamized version of the Zoroastrian religion. At present, there 3 Russian Orthodox church in Baku, and 1 in Ganja and Khachmaz. On October 22, the ECHR ruled in the case of Jehovahs Witness Nina Gridneva. The constitution of Azerbaijan provides for freedom of religion, and the law does not allow religious activities to be interfered with unless they endanger public order. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has donated US$40,000 for the construction of the Jewish House in Baku in 2000. Azerbaijan Religion, Economy and Politics. The current metro area population of Baku in 2022 is 2,401,000, a 1.27% increase from 2021. [7] For many Azerbaijanis, association with Islam tended toward a more ethnic/nationalistic identity than a purely religious one. [78] A few years later, the Flag Pole was dismantled and the National Flag Square was closed off with fences. [118][119] The move was part of 16million agreement between Manganese Bronze subsidiary LTI Limited and Baku Taxi Company.[120][121]. 2) Extended - incluse the following: all the Standard details and Previous Names, children, spouses and parents detalis, previous addresses, the date of marriage / divorce / widowhood, religion and nationality Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Jews live in Baku, with smaller communities throughout the country. On the one hand, the split between Shiia and. Following the victory of Azerbaijan's representative Eldar & Nigar at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, Baku hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Subscribe to Newsletter. [87] Baku has an original and unique appearance, earning it a reputation as the 'Paris of the East'. The Synergy Baku Cycling Project participates in the Tour d'Azerbadjan a 2.2 multi-stage bicycle race on the UCI Europe Tour. The Baku Stock Exchange is Azerbaijan's largest stock exchange, and largest in the Caucasian region by market capitalization. The majority of the Muslims are Shia Muslims, and the Republic of Azerbaijan has the second highest Shia population percentage in the world after Iran. To register, a religious organization must submit to the SCWRA a notarized application signed by at least 50 of its members, a charter and founding documents, the names of the organizations founders, and the organizations legal address and bank information. Five attendees and two officers died in the raid. The semi-autonomous Persian-ruled[23][24] Baku Khanate (17471806) was one of these. Due to the life-giving properties of their home planet, the Ba'ku became embroiled in a conspiracy between Starfleet and the Son'a. The government did not exercise control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region or surrounding territories throughout much of the year. [132][unreliable source?] Copyright 2021 | Faith Matters. It lasted approximately six weeks and resulted in. According to the code of administrative offenses, an administrative offense is applicable to nonviolent crimes. Orthodoxy is currently represented in Azerbaijan by the Russian and Georgian Orthodox churches. to make way for a green belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built on the land reclaimed by filling up the beaches of the Baku Bay. [21] However under the official doctrine of state atheism during Soviet rule, the Bah community was almost ended,[22] though it was immediately reactivated as perestroika loosened controls on religions. The Vatican Foreign Minister Giovanni Lajolo visited Baku on May 19, 2006. Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan has been tied not to survival of the ancient religion in the area, but a more recent arrival of the Parsi Zoroastrians coming from the British India at the time of the discovery of oil in Baku and the need for expert labor in the 1880s. While the law prohibits the government from interfering in the religious activities of any individual or group, there are exceptions for suspected extremist or other illegal activity. The metro area population of Baku in 2020 was 2,341,000, a 1.21% increase from 2019. [15], The Azerbaijani government maintains a secular position. [citation needed]. [citation needed] Traces of human settlement go back to the Stone Age. The Ottoman Empire, recognising defeat in World War I by October 1918, signed the Armistice of Mudros with the British (30 October 1918); this meant the evacuation of Turkish forces from Baku. These communities do not have any church; their dogmas are fixed in a special book of rituals. Myth busting: William Gladstone's quote about the Quran, Racialising the Rotherham scandal fails all abuse victims, Dr Michael Siegel: the Jewish lawyer who survived Nazi violence and humiliation on March 10, 1933, Ceremony honours 'only' Canadian Muslim soldier killed in WW1. During Soviet rule, the city was spelled in Cyrillic as "" in Azerbaijani (while the Russian spelling was and still is "", Baku). Modern Baku has three parts: the Old Town (ri hr), the boomtown and the Soviet-built town. The city walls of Baku were also rebuilt and strengthened. Mehdiyev and Abilov filed an appeal with the ECHR, on which the court had not ruled as of years end. His successor, king Tahmasp I (r.15241576), completely removed the Shirvanshahs from power and made Baku a part of the Shirvan province. [52], Today, the vast majority of Baku's population is made up of ethnic Azerbaijanis, and the rest are Talysh, Russians, Lezgi and others. It awarded Mustafayev an additional 500 euros ($610) for costs associated with applying to the court. With economic development, old buildings such as Atlant House were razed to make way for new ones. Mikayil Mushfig, Bakuvian poet and victim of the Stalinist purges. PRRI's 2020 Census of American Religion provides unprecedented county-level data on religious identity and diversity in the United States. Partial change of demographic and ethnic composition of Baku was caused by Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan, implementation of these claims by force of arms, as well as the acceleration of migration processes as a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing against the Azerbaijani population living in Armenia. The Ambassador and embassy officers met regularly with representatives of registered and unregistered religious groups and civil society to discuss religious freedom in the country. The Russian Orthodox Churches are grouped in the Eparchy of Baku and the Caspian region. Major religion Islam. There is climatic change in Central Asia. The Tati synagogue was the oldest and largest. The constitution stipulates the separation of religion and state and the equality of all religions. About 3 million people live in the metropolitan area. [9] Baku is located 28 metres (92ft) below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world located below sea level. [33], Approximately 6,000 of the 10,000 people of the Udi ethnic community live in Azerbaijan including 4,400 people residing in Nij village, Qabala district.[34]. He stated he had been threatened with dismissal if he did not resign voluntarily. [18] By the early 20th century, the Bah community, now centered in Baku, numbered perhaps 2,000 individuals and several Bah Local Spiritual Assemblies. Refusal to perform military service is punishable under the criminal code with imprisonment of up to two years or forced conscription. There is a tiny Catholic community in Baku and its surroundings, with less than a thousand members. In the post-WWII period, a few more universities were established such as Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan University of Languages and the Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University. The law requires religious organizations termed associations in the countrys legal code and encompassing religious groups, communities, and individual congregations of a denomination to register with the government through the SCWRA. During this time, the population of Baku remained small (approximately 5,000), and the economy suffered as a result of constant warfare. The Azerbaijani Turks: Power and Identity Under Russian Rule, Audrey L. Altstadt, page 32, Hoover Press, 1992. The strongholds for Shia Islam were mainly in the areas around Lenkoran and Baku. [75] Many sizable world hotel chains have a presence in the city. Most of the non-European Jews resided in the old part of the city. The groups said there were fewer instances of officials raiding the premises of religious communities or detaining and fining individuals in connection with peaceful practice of their religion or beliefs than in years past. The average cost of living in Azerbaijan is 745AZN ($440) excluding rent. Today, the vast majority of Baku's population is made up of ethnic Azerbaijanis, and the rest are Talysh, Russians, Lezgi and others. Baku is divided into twelve administrative raions and 48 townships. The building was designed by Carl Gippius, brother of famous artist Otto Gustavovich Gippius (Yevstafiyevich) and architect of Baku city and the governorate. The European, Tati, and Georgian communities each had their synagogue. These Indian traders built the Ateshgah of Baku during 17th18th centuries; the temple was used as a Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian place of worship. In Baku (capital city) it is allowed in most places, except places of religious purposes, such as mosques. Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 2009 when Baku was designated an Islamic Culture Capital. Azerbaijan's Relationship with Fire. By Gunay Hajiyeva November 16, 2019. In response to the 2018 events, police killed five persons and detained 77 others during special operations in Ganja, Shamkir, Sumgait, and Baku. So when not enjoying a variety of competitive sports including (but not limited to): Judo, beach football, sambo, athletics, wrestling and volleyball there is much to view in Baku. In the spring of 1796, by Catherine II's order, General Valerian Zubov's troops started a large campaign against Qajar Persia. However, people are not very religious, here (do not pray daily etc). Buildings with all-glass shells have appeared around the city, the most prominent examples being the International Mugham Center, Azerbaijan Tower, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, Flame Towers, Baku Crystal Hall, Baku White City, SOCAR Tower and DENIZ Mall. [53][54], Fereydoun Safizadeh, "On Dilemmas of Identity in the Post-Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan,", United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Republic, "Middle East:: Azerbaijan The World Factbook", "Islam and Secularism: the Azerbaijani experience and its reflection in France", "Interactive Data Table: World Muslim Population by Country", http://files.preslib.az/projects/remz/pdf_en/atr_din.pdf, Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Presidential Library Religion, "AZERBAIJAN: Selective obstruction of foreign religious workers", "The Rise of Militant Salafism in Azerbaijan and Its Regional Implications", Religiosity Highest in World's Poorest Nations, "Berkley Center for Religion Peace and World Affairs", "Religiosity Highest in World's Poorest Nations", Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Presidential Library - Religion, "The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan", "AZERBAIJAN: State to have veto on religious leader appointments? On June 2, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree allocating two million manat ($1.18 million) to the CMB for the needs of Muslim communities and 350,000 manat ($206,000) each to the Baku Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church and the religious community of Mountain Jews, the same amounts as in 2019. The World War II Battle of Stalingrad was fought to determine who would have control of Baku oil fields. [19] This had facilitated the favorable attention of local, regional[18] and international[20] leaders of thought as well as long standing leading figures in the religion. In 1979, this number was 1.549.800. An administrative arrest may last up to three months. ! Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. In 1897, 111.904 people lived in the city. 2007", "Sub-national HDI Area Database Global Data Lab", The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, "Seven astounding facts about the city of Baku", "Population by economic and administrative regions, urban settlements at the beginning of the 2009", "Culture & Religion on Podium: Politicizing Linguistics", "Azerbaijan Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace", "The Caucasus in the System of International Relations: The Turkmanchay Treaty was Signed 180 Years Ago", "From Constantinople to the Home of Omar Khayyam", Red Passage to Iran: Baku Trade Fair and the Unmaking of the Azerbaijani Borderland, 19221930, "Money from oil changes the face of Azerbaijan", "Global ICT Conference: 2528, November, 2004: Baku, Azerbaijan", "Climatological Information for Baku, Azerbaijan", "Normales et records pour la priode 1991-2020 Baku", "Azerbaijan The Soviet and post-Soviet periods", " Weekly - . [81] Baku was chosen to host the Eurovision Dance Contest 2010. In 2010, police stopped Gridneva while she was distributing religious literature on the street and officers seized the materials. Most of the non-European Jews resided in the old part of the city. Another and even less probable folk etymology explains the name as deriving from Baghkuy, meaning "God's town". This is the impression one carries away from Baku, and it is certainly true in the environs.[32]. 13 churches and 7 synagogues operate in Azerbaijan as well. Right now, Team GB will be competing it at least 14 events and others will be volunteering as Flamekeepers think Games Makers from our very proud Olympics of 2012 with an Azeri twist. Religious communities continued to state frustration with government registration requirements, particularly the 50-member minimum. It also protects the right of individuals to express their religious beliefs and to practice religious rituals, provided these do not violate public order or public morality. [49], The position of the governmental authorities towards Islam is controversial. According to Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan everyone has the right to freedom of conscience. Towards the end of the 20th century, much of the onshore petroleum had been exhausted, and drilling had extended into the sea offshore. Altay Goyushov. The most important libraries in terms of historic document collections include the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijan Literature, the National Library of Azerbaijan, the Mirza Alakbar Central Library, the Samad Vurgun Library and Baku Presidential Library. In recent years, Baku has become an important venue for international events. In the United States, the group met with representatives of different interfaith and religious organizations, visited different houses of worship, and learned about the role of women in American religious communities. Baku is also featured in the video game Battlefield 4.[104]. The Fire Temple of Baku was constructed for their use at the site of an ancient fire temple utilizing the naturally burning gas and oil on the ground. Baku made a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Olympics,[115] but failed to become a Candidate City both times.[116]. According to the beginning of 2021, the population of Baku reached 2300,5people. Christians, who are estimated to number between 280,000450,000 (3.1%4.8%)[27][28] are mostly Russian and Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic (almost all Armenians live in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh). International banks with branches in Baku include HSBC, Socit Gnrale and Credit Suisse.[74]. Rent is usually counted as a separate cost. Religion in Azerbaijan; National currency; Capital; Phone and postal codes . The rest of the population adheres to other faiths or are non-religious, although they are not officially represented. Baku hosts a Formula One race on the Baku City Circuit. Prior to 1988, there were significant communities of Russians, Armenia ns, and Jews. This municipality is situated to Dielsdorf's west, and it is on a Lagern ridge. Together with Baku Party Committee (known as the Baksovet), it developed the economic significance of the Caspian metropolis. Authorities stated the movement mixed religious and political ideology and said they were concerned about its ties to Iran. It survived through the Soviet state atheist policies of the 1920s and 1930s when all but one Armenian church in Baku were destroyed. Population. Gum Hamam was discovered during archaeological excavations underneath the sand; hence the name: Gum hamam (sand bath). Azerbaijan is a secular state that provides religious freedom. Christians live mainly in Baku and other urban areas. International, Opinions Hamams play a very important role in the architectural appearance of Baku.[90]. But, in Azerbaijan at the . Near the city, in what is today Gobustan, Roman inscriptions dating from 84 to 96AD survive some of the earliest written evidences for a city there. However, the German Army reached only a point some 530 kilometres (329 miles) northwest of Baku in November 1942, falling far short of the city's capture before being driven back during the Soviet Operation Little Saturn in mid-December 1942. [67] In 2003 Baku additionally had 153,400 internally displaced persons and 93,400 refugees.[68][69]. There are some other faiths practised among the different ethnic groups within the country. The executive director of the Moral Values Promotion Foundation, Mehman Ismayilov, said that during the year, the foundation provided monthly assistance to 984 Muslim religious figures serving in mosques, including imams and deputy imams, and transferred 100,000 manat ($58,800) to 22 non-Muslim communities. There is also a Jewish village called Qrmz Qsb. This is largely because of its northerly latitude and the fact that it is located on a peninsula on the shore of the Caspian Sea. The intensive growth of the population started in the middle of the 19th century when Baku was a small town with a population of about 7,000 people. 2020-01-07. The second way to get there is from Baku boulevard. [134], Lotfi A. Zadeh, artificial intelligence researcher, founder of fuzzy mathematics, fuzzy set theory, and fuzzy logic. Some Protestant and home-based church leaders stated their inability to obtain legal registration forced them to keep their activities quiet for fear of government repercussions. Territory, number of population and density of Baku city, Density of population according to 01.10.2021, Population change in Baku city The motorway network around Baku is well developed and is constantly being extended. A relatively large number of transnational companies are headquartered in Baku. "I can tell . The city's second largest stadium, Tofiq Bahramov Stadium hosts a number of domestic and international competitions and was the main sports centre of the city for a long period until the construction of Baku Olympic Stadium.