The State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan conducts religious expertise of religious literature in paper and electronic formats, audio and video materials, religious goods and products, as well as other informational materials in this direction, produced within the country, as well as imported and exported. According to the results of the conducted religious expertise, appropriate consent was given for the import and publication of 3549 items of religious literature, while the import and publication of 49 items of religious literature were deemed inappropriate.
Modern.az reports that this information was provided to Trend by the Committee.
It was stated that, in addition, the Committee ensures the issuance of control marks for religious literature and other religious materials in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
"Applications related to all religious materials undergoing expertise at the State Committee are received from various sources. These include applications from legal and physical entities for appropriate consent for the import of religious materials from abroad for personal use, sale, and distribution, religious literature that national publishing houses and printing presses wish to publish based on orders, and applications related to the export of religious literature.
It was noted that an opinion is prepared for each book submitted for religious expertise at the State Committee. The opinion primarily consists of two parts – the research section and the conclusion. If the printing or import of religious literature is deemed inappropriate, the reason for this is stated in the opinion.
"Among the restrictions stipulated in Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Freedom of Religious Belief," the provision for the protection of morality and the rights of others is included. The purpose of religious expertise is precisely to protect a healthy moral environment and the rights of everyone, regardless of their belief. Based on the aforementioned criteria, a total of 3598 items of religious literature were reviewed based on applications received for import into the country and publication within the country in 2025. Of these materials, 3385 items of literature were submitted for import, and 213 items for publication. According to the results of the conducted religious expertise, appropriate consent was given for the import and publication of 3549 items of religious literature, while the import and publication of 49 items of religious literature were deemed inappropriate," the institution added.
