Non-Islamic communities not registered since 2001

97% of Azerbaijan’s population are Muslims, while the rest are Orthodox, Jews and Catholics, chairman of the State Committee on Religious Organizations Rafig Aliyev said.

Touching upon the activity of missionary organizations, Aliyev said they came to Azerbaijan before 1999 and non-Islamic communities have not been registered in the country since 2001.

Aliyev said 80% of the organizations working in Azerbaijan ‘under the pretext of charity societies’ have been closed down. Only 4 or 5 such organizations are still working in the country, he added.