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The Life and Work of Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh
Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Hummat Pashazadeh was born on August 26, 1949, in the village of Cil, Lankaran district, Azerbaijan. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in both secular education and religious studies. Alongside his schooling, he expanded his scientific worldview by learning religious knowledge from local clergy.
From 1968 to 1970, he studied at the "Mir-Arab" madrasa in the city of Bukhara, one of the ancient religious centers of Uzbekistan. After successfully completing his education there, Allahshukur Pashazadeh entered the Faculty of Theology at the Imam al-Bukhari Tashkent Islamic Institute in 1971. He successfully graduated in 1975, obtaining a comprehensive higher religious education.
Since then, Allahshukur Pashazadeh began his career at the Caucasus Muslims Office and was appointed as the responsible secretary. His deep knowledge of religious sciences and organizational skills allowed him to advance to higher positions in a short period. In 1978, he was elected as the Imam of the Tazapir Mosque and simultaneously appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office. In 1980, he was elected as the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office and honored with the rank of Sheikh ul-Islam. He also served as the Chairman of the Judicial Council of the Caucasus Muslims Office.
The Period of Sheikh ul-Islam and the Difficulties of the Soviet Regime
The early years of Allahshukur Pashazadeh's activity as Sheikh ul-Islam coincided with the harshest period of ideological control and restrictions in the Soviet Union. In this environment, he not only worked to protect and develop religious values but also witnessed and actively participated in various political events.
During the Soviet era, there were only four Muslim religious Boards operating in the country:
- The Spiritual Board of Muslims of Central Asia and Kazakhstan (Tashkent)
- The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the North Caucasus and Dagestan (Makhachkala)
- The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the European Part of the USSR and Siberia (Ufa)
- The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Transcaucasus (Baku).
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, three of these Boards ceased their activities or underwent structural changes for various reasons. Only the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Transcaucasus (SAMT) managed to preserve its essence and position.
This success was primarily due to the personal influence, diplomatic skills, and administrative qualities of Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh. As a result of his purposeful efforts, SAMT grew stronger, expanded, and transformed into the most influential religious center in the Caucasus region—the Caucasus Muslims Office.
Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's Activities During the Soviet Era
Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, as the only Muslim religious figure who was a member of the Presidium of the most influential international and all-union organizations of the Soviet Union, was active on a wide scale. His position in the public-political arena and the work he carried out was not limited only to religious matters, but also attracted attention through his active participation in various international and domestic processes. He was a member of the Presidium of the Soviet Peace Defense Committee (Chairman academician Y. Fyodorov), the Soviet Peace Fund (Chairman Anatoly Karpov), the Soviet Children's Fund (Chairman A. Likhonov), the Soviet Solidarity Committee with Asian and African countries (Chairman M. Ibrahimov), the Soviet Council of Societies for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries (Chairman Valentina Tereshkova), and the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (Chairman R. Nishanov). During his time in these positions, he frequently made official visits abroad and represented Azerbaijan's interests in the international arena, always remaining loyal to the ideas of Azerbaijani identity, and consistently working for the protection of national and religious values. This principled position was particularly reflected in his speech at the 45th session held in the United Nations Palace in Geneva in 1989.
Afghanistan Mission and Peacekeeping Activities
During the years when the Soviet army entered Afghanistan, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh gained great influence through his peacekeeping activities. He made numerous visits to Afghanistan and held direct talks with political and religious leaders there. As a result of his efforts, more than 200 Muslim-origin Soviet soldiers were freed from captivity. His peacekeeping initiatives were warmly welcomed by the international community, and Sheikh-ul-Islam was recognized as one of the active organizers of the struggle for peace in the region.
In 1986, with the initiative of Allahshukur Pashazadeh and the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an international conference titled "Muslims Struggling for Peace" was held in Baku. More than 600 representatives from 60 countries around the world participated in this significant event. Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazadeh's organizational skills were once again demonstrated here. In 1987, at the international forum "A Nuclear-Free World for the Salvation of Humanity," held in Moscow, he was elected as the head and co-chair of the forum.
Representation in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan
In 1989, Allahshukur Pashazadeh became the first Muslim clergyman to be elected as a people's deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. This was a reflection of his public influence and the high level of trust he had in society. After Azerbaijan gained independence, he was elected as a deputy in the XII convocation of the National Assembly, which was the country’s first legislative body, from 1990 to 1995. He represented the people’s voice from the Nakhchivan electoral district in the National Assembly, actively participating in legislative work during both the Soviet and independence periods.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh’s representation in high state organs during both the Soviet and independence years was a clear manifestation of the great trust and respect the Azerbaijani society had for their religious leader.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's Activities During the Early Period of Azerbaijan's Independence
In December 1991, as a result of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's initiative and determined efforts, Azerbaijan became the first among the Muslim republics of the Soviet Union to be admitted as a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), now known as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This important event occurred during a period when the Soviet Union had not yet officially collapsed, and an atheist ideology dominated the region. Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazadeh represented Azerbaijan at the OIC Summit held in Dakar, facing significant risks, and succeeded in gaining recognition from 47 Muslim countries for Azerbaijan as an independent Muslim state. This summit held historical significance in terms of Azerbaijan's international recognition and raising awareness of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
During the Dakar summit, Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazadeh held personal meetings with the heads of state of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, and other countries, ensuring Azerbaijan's full membership in both the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Islamic Development Bank. One of the key moments of the meeting was when Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif officially declared the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Protection of National and Spiritual Values and Public Activities
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh has led several large-scale projects in independent Azerbaijan aimed at preserving national and spiritual values, restoring religious and historical monuments, and ensuring the religious and belief freedoms of the people. Under his initiative, hundreds of religious monuments were restored, the activities of mosques were revived, and the rights of believers to practice their faith were expanded.
It was under Allahshukur Pashazadeh's leadership that the Ashura ceremonies were transformed into a more spiritual and socially significant event. Organizing blood donation campaigns during the days of Ashura became a tradition, with people participating in these campaigns to both commemorate the memory of Imam Hussein (AS) and help patients suffering from hereditary blood diseases, especially thalassemia, including children. This noble activity was realized with the initiative of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh and gained widespread support within the society.
The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and Peace Diplomacy
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, which began in 1988, the occupation of our lands, and the displacement of millions of people from their homeland, led to the establishment of the peace diplomacy mission in the activities of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade. From the first days of the conflict, he took an active stance to promote the Karabakh issue at the international level, holding high-level meetings with various state and religious leaders and defending Azerbaijan's just position.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh has met many times with Russian, Georgian, and Armenian religious leaders to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and made great efforts to ensure the conflict did not become a religious issue. He participated in meetings organized in Montreux, Rostov, Moscow, as well as Baku and Tbilisi, under the mediation of the World Council of Churches and the Russian Orthodox Church. As a result of these meetings, joint declarations were signed, in which Azerbaijan's position was repeatedly affirmed.
One of the most significant achievements was the "Moscow Declaration" signed in 1995 by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, II Alexy, Armenian Catholicos I Karekin, and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh. This declaration facilitated important agreements regarding the exchange of prisoners and wounded, as well as the transfer of the dead.
At the same time, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh addressed world leaders, parliaments, and international organizations with numerous appeals regarding the results of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan. He tirelessly worked to get the Khojaly genocide legally recognized and to inform the world community of the facts of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Sheikh-ul-Islam, particularly in Islamic countries, conducted information campaigns about Azerbaijan, defending the country's rights and territorial integrity. He held meetings with leaders of several Islamic countries, seeking international support for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For example, he participated in various meetings of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), promoting Azerbaijan's position at the global level and seeking the support of the Islamic world for the resolution of the Karabakh issue.
Allahshukur Pashazadeh also focused on the religious and cultural aspects of the conflict. In the early 2000s, he worked to draw international attention to the destruction of religious shrines of the Azerbaijani population in Karabakh by Armenians and the damage to other cultural heritage sites.
Sheikh-ul-Islam spoke several times at both local and international events, promoting peaceful approaches to resolving the conflict. In his speeches, he emphasized that the conflict had no religious ties and was simply a territorial and political issue. He also made several calls for cooperation with Armenia and held meetings with various religious leaders, engaging in discussions on peacefully resolving religious conflicts.
The "Bloody January" Events of 1990 and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's Activities
The Bloody January events of 1990 can be regarded as the culmination of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's public and spiritual activities. It was during these historical days that the Soviet army entered Baku, mercilessly massacred the peaceful population, and the local government fell into a completely paralyzed state, putting the Azerbaijani people in a severe trial. In this uncertainty and chaotic environment, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh demonstrated great courage and determination, standing before the people and taking decisive steps to save them from despair and confusion. Despite threats and pressures, he considered it his duty as a state and religious leader to become the voice of the people.
During this period, the appeals addressed by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh to the Soviet leadership and the international community are among the most important documents in Azerbaijan's independence history. The indictment addressed to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as the appeals sent to UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuéllar and other heads of international organizations, were some of the first manifestos harshly criticizing imperialist policies and exposing state crimes. In these appeals, the Soviet leadership was openly blamed for the bloody events in Baku, and the international community was called upon to respond to this tragedy.
During those days, the national leader Heydar Aliyev, at the Azerbaijani representative office in Moscow, openly exposed the Soviet leadership and strongly condemned the Bloody January tragedy. From Azerbaijan, the hard-hitting and accusatory appeal addressed to Mikhail Gorbachev was signed by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade. This appeal not only condemned the crimes committed by the Soviet Empire but also called on world states and religious leaders to condemn the tragedy in Azerbaijan and stand up for the defense of the peaceful population.
These historical steps by Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh demonstrated that he was not only a religious leader but also a symbol of national and spiritual will. By using his influence, he ensured that Azerbaijan's just voice was heard on the international stage. These events marked the beginning of a new phase in the Azerbaijani people's struggle for independence and left an eternal mark in the national memory.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh addresses the Azerbaijani people every year on the anniversary of the January 20th events and makes statements emphasizing the significance of this great tragedy. These statements aim to both commemorate the painful memory of the tragedy and call on the people to unite and pursue peace. In his annual statements, Sheikh-ul-Islam respectfully honors the memory of the martyrs of January 20th, noting that their blood was not in vain and that their bloody struggle was crucial in the path towards the establishment of an independent Azerbaijani state.
The Sheikh of the Caucasus – Allahshukur Pashazadeh
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the most influential religious figure in the Caucasus, was elected as the Chairman of the Supreme Religious Board of the Peoples of the Caucasus in 1992 and has carried out significant activities to strengthen peace and religious solidarity in the region. During the religious-political tensions in Chechnya and Ingushetia, he took practical steps to prevent the provocative actions of radical groups, contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in the region. Within the framework of the "Caucasus House" initiative, he made consistent efforts to deepen the friendship and cooperation among the peoples of the Caucasus.
As the supreme religious leader of the Muslims of the Caucasus, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh defended the rights and interests of the people of the region at the highest levels in international and regional organizations. His principled and determined position was particularly reflected in his statements regarding the Chechen conflict in 1999. He sent a protest letter to the President of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, harshly criticizing the policy aimed at the annihilation of the Chechen people, and he considered the collective labeling of an entire people as "terrorists" or "criminals" as an unacceptable and unjust approach.
Pashazadeh's appeal resonated greatly internationally and further confirmed his peace-loving and justice-oriented position. While accepting the necessity of combating Islamic extremism and terrorism, he strongly condemned the misuse of this slogan to collectively stigmatize entire peoples and destroy innocent lives.
This activity of Sheikh-ul-Islam has made him not only a religious leader but also a humanitarian and peace advocate, earning him great respect and influence among the peoples of the region. His efforts have made a significant contribution to the development of tolerance and interfaith dialogue in the Caucasus and have served to strengthen the peace environment in the region.
The Internationally Recognized Religious Leader
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, adhering to the principles of Muslim solidarity, has repeatedly expressed his objections to the conflicts and mass killings occurring in the Middle East and the broader Islamic world. During these conflicts, he raised the issue of protecting ancient historical monuments and sacred shrines in front of international organizations and world governments, calling on the global community to preserve this heritage. Sheikh-ul-Islam has strongly condemned the U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, the wars in Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, as well as the provocative activities of the terrorist group ISIS and takfiri ideological movements. He considers ensuring peace and tranquility for all humanity as his sacred duty and has continuously worked in this direction.
Pashazadeh pays special attention to promoting the principles of interfaith dialogue and cooperation while delivering speeches from prestigious international conference platforms. He has made calls for the peaceful resolution of conflicts between peoples and states, as well as for strengthening tolerance and multicultural relations. As part of this work, he has initiated and hosted numerous international events and scientific-practical conferences. One such event was the international conference "Modernity and Religious-Spiritual Values," held in Baku in 1998, which highlighted the state's efforts to revive religious and spiritual values during Azerbaijan's period of independence.
Among the international conferences held under his leadership, events such as "God's Mercy, the Savior of the People" (2003), "Globalization and Islam" (2004), "The Example of Tolerance – Azerbaijan" (2006), "CIS Countries Are Supporters of Peace and Stable Development" (2013), "Strengthening Religious Tolerance: The Azerbaijan Model" (2014), and "Islamic Enlightenment and the Modern Era" (2015) are particularly noteworthy.
As co-chairman of the Interfaith Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Pashazadeh has organized significant events such as "Cooperation for Peace in the Caucasus" in Tbilisi in 2002, the International Interfaith Peace Forum in Moscow in 2004, the World Religious Leaders’ Summit in Moscow in 2006, the World Religious Leaders’ Summit in Baku in 2010, and the "Second Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders" in November 2019. Additionally, in November 2024, the "World Religions for the Green Planet" Global Summit will be held in Baku under the slogan "COP 29."
He also initiated the proposal to establish an Advisory Council of Religions at the United Nations, alongside Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all of Russia. As a result, Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazadeh was entrusted with the responsibility of representing Muslim clergy in the high-level advisory group under UNESCO, which was being set up. In 2009, he was elected as a member of this high-level Advisory Group under UNESCO.
In the Christian world, Pashazadeh has also gained significant influence. Since 2006, he has been a member of the Catholic-Orthodox Commission for Interfaith Relations, established by the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches. Through mutual respect and cooperation with religious leaders in the CIS, especially Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Patriarch-Catholicos II Ilia of Georgia, he has been able to resolve several important regional issues.
For the first time in the history of Muslim clergy, Pashazadeh was invited to the Vatican and was awarded the "Holy Gregory" order by Pope John Paul II. In his letter to Pashazadeh, Pope John Paul II wrote: "You have the right to proudly accept the respect and goodwill shown to you by representatives of various religions."
The multifaceted international activities of Allahshukur Pashazadeh have made a significant contribution to the preservation of religious and spiritual values and the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.
Scientific Activities
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh’s scientific activity affirms his status as a person with extensive and profound knowledge. In 1992, he earned a Doctor of Historical Sciences degree after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation. Since 1999, Pashazadeh has been working as a professor at the Faculty of Theology at Baku State University (BSU). He has also served as the chair of the Examination Committees at BSU, a member of the expert council of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and scientific supervisor, opponent, and advisor to dozens of dissertations in the fields of history and theology.
Allahshukur Pashazadeh is considered the first national historian and Islamic scholar of Azerbaijan in the field of Islamic history and Islamic culture. As a researcher who laid the foundation for a new direction in this field, his works are of great importance in Islamic studies, the history of Islamic culture and thought, the problems of sectarianism, the interpretation and translation of the Quran, and various theological and social issues. His notable monographs include “Islam in the Caucasus,” “Ummah and Sectarianism in Islam,” “The History of Quranic Interpretation and Translation,” “Divine Judgments and the Study of the Quran,” “Martyrdom in Islam,” “National Relations and Religion,” “The Miraculous Nature of the Quran,” and “Human Nature in the Quran.”
In his scientific work, Professor Allahshukur Pashazadeh considers the unity of divine knowledge and modern empirical sciences to be a vital factor and has undertaken significant work in this direction. Due to his initiative and insistence, the Baku Islamic Seminary, which had been inactive for years, was re-established in 1989 and began operating as the Baku Islamic University in 1991. Pashazadeh also founded the Scientific-Theological Council in 1997, under the auspices of the Caucasian Muslims Office, which included prominent religious and academic figures.
Sheikh-ul-Islam places particular emphasis on the importance of religious education in the era of globalization and stands out with his initiatives in this area. An excellent example of this is the international conference “Islamic Enlightenment and the Modern Era,” held in 2015 in collaboration with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. The conference discussed Islamic enlightenment, the challenges of the modern era, and the significance of educational initiatives in this field.
Pashazadeh is a highly respected scholar not only in the Islamic world but also in the international academic community. He holds the unique authority to issue high-level legal rulings (fatwas) on matters related to both Sunni and Shia Islam. This gives him a significant role in promoting unity between sects and plays a critical part in the efforts to eliminate sectarian divisions. As a jurisprudent, he has engaged in extensive global advocacy for the promotion of unity and the elimination of sectarianism.
His multifaceted scientific heritage, research, and initiatives have left a significant mark on both national and international academic environments. Pashazadeh has made substantial contributions to the development of Azerbaijani science and the field of Islamic studies.
The activities of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh have been highly appreciated both domestically and internationally. During his leadership, significant steps were taken in preserving and developing religious and spiritual values, as well as ensuring the proper representation of Azerbaijan's religion and culture in the Islamic world.
AWARDS
For his contributions to maintaining interfaith and interethnic peace, strengthening friendship between nations, promoting dialogue among world cultures, constructive cooperation, and effective public activity, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh has been awarded orders and medals by various states, religious authorities, and organizations.
- May 16, 1988 - USSR "Friendship of Peoples" Order
- January 28, 1992 - Egypt's “The First Degree 'Al-Elm wa Amel'" Order
- August 26, 1994 - Azerbaijan's "Glory" Order
- September 26, 1998 - Chechnya's "National Hero" (“K'oman Turpal”) Order
- August 26, 1999 - Azerbaijan's "Independence" Order
- May 25, 2001 - Russian Orthodox Church`s the First-Degree Order of "the Great Duke Vladimir "
- December 5, 2001 - Georgia's "Honor" Order
- August 2005 - Vatican’s "Saint Gregory" Order
- September 14, 2005 - Russian Orthodox Church “The First Degree "Saint Sergius of Radonezh" Order
- December 16, 2005 - Russian Muftis Council's "the First Degree "Al-Fakhr" Order
- October 3, 2006 - Russian Federation’s "Friendship" Order
- September 4, 2007 - “The First Degree "King Hussein" Order of the HK of Jordan
- August 26, 2009 - Azerbaijan's "Honor" Order
- October 10, 2009 - Baku and Caspian Sea Diocese's "the First Degree "Holy Apostle Bartholomew'" Order
- November 3, 2009 - Chechnya's "Kadyrov Order"
- October 10, 2009 - Baku and Caspian Sea Diocese's "the First Degree 'Holy Apostle Bartholomew'" Order
- November 3, 2009 - Georgia's State Prize "Golden Skin of the Sheep" Order
- November 6, 2009 - Russian Federation’s "Honor" (“Order of Merit”)
- November 6, 2009 - Russian Orthodox Church "Glory and Honor" Order
- November 6, 2009 - North Caucasus Muslims Coordination Center's the First Degree "Service to the Ummah" Order
- March 11, 2010 - “INTERSAFETY” International Security Committee’s "Crescent and Star" Order (highest degree)
- August 31, 2012 - Honorary Order of the Federation Council for special services
- November 17, 2013 - Belarus Orthodox Church "the First Degree 'Saint Cyril of Turov'" Order
- August 29, 2014 - Georgia’s Presidential Highest Award – "Honor Order"
- September 1, 2014 - Belarus's "Fransisk Skorina" Order
- September 27, 2014 - Russian Orthodox Church “The First Degree 'Holy Believer Daniil of Moscow'" Order
- May 14, 2015 - Republic of Ingushetia's "Service" Order
- October 22, 2015 - Russian Central Spiritual Directorate's "Al-Izzat-Honor, Glory, and Dignity" Order
- February 27, 2019 - "For the Services to the Karachay-Cherkess Republic" Order
- August 26, 2019 - "Heydar Aliyev" Order
- November 14, 2019 - Russian Orthodox Church's “The First Degree 'Saint Seraphim" Order
- November 12, 2019 - Uzbekistan’s "Friendship" Order
- November 21, 2019 - Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS’s "Union" Order
- July 22, 2022 - Georgian Orthodox Church's "Friendship" Order
- October 11, 2023 - Kazakhstan's "Friendship ('Dostyk')" Order
- October 18, 2023 - "Imam Qarafi" Award
- August 26, 2024 - Russian Orthodox Church’s "First Degree" Order of Kiev, Moscow, and All Russia Metropolitan Saint Alexius Order
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh's activities are recognized as exemplary in terms of preserving national and spiritual heritage, as well as defending Azerbaijan's national interests in the modern era.
