RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN AZERBAIJAN: ANCIENT TIMES AND NOWADAYS

The article explores the history of religious education in Azerbaijan, highlighting the development of madrasahs in the region following the spread of Islam. It notes that many prominent figures emerged from those institutions, and Azerbaijani scholars made significant contributions to Islamic culture. However, after Azerbaijan was occupied by Tsarist Russia, the activities of madrasahs were severely restricted. With the establishment of Soviet rule, they were completely shut down, and many religious scholars were persecuted and killed. It also highlights that after years of repression, particularly on the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union, educational centers for religious studies were established in cities like Bukhara (Uzbekistan), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Kazan (Tatarstan), and other parts of the Soviet Union. Muslims from across the USSR, including Azerbaijanis, were eager to pursue religious studies at these centers. The article also mentions that after Azerbaijan gained independence, great attention was given to religion, leading to the establishment of new educational institutions. It briefly covers the activities of the Baku Islamic University and the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology.