After the Republic of Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, comprehensive laws on religion were adopted, including the law "On Freedom of Religious Beliefs." The new Constitution, which came into force in 1995, established the relationship between the state and religion.
According to current legislation, the activities of Islamic religious institutions in our country are defined by the powers of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), with which these institutions are affiliated, in accordance with the first part of Article 9 of the law "On Freedom of Religious Beliefs." Article 7 of Chapter II of the law, titled "Religious Institutions in the Republic of Azerbaijan," states that "Religious communities, boards and centers, religious fraternities, religious educational institutions, and their associations are religious institutions. Religious institutions are represented by their centers (boards). Islamic religious institutions operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan submit reports on their activities to the Caucasus Muslims Board." While this article of the law considers it a mandatory duty for Islamic religious institutions to report to the CMB, Article 8, Part 2 of the law also establishes that Islamic religious communities are subordinate to the CMB in organizational matters: "In organizational matters in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic religious communities are subordinate to the Caucasus Muslims Board." These norms turn the CMB's supervisory function—including monitoring compliance with legislation on freedom of religious belief by the religious communities united under the board—into one of its main tasks.
Article 9 of the law states: "Islamic religious institutions in the Republic of Azerbaijan are united in their historical Islamic religious center – the Caucasus Muslims Board."
Article 12 also notes that "religious institutions can operate only in the places of worship indicated as a legal address in the information submitted for state registration, and only after a religious figure has been appointed to these religious institutions by a religious center and board."
Since 1980, the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board has been His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade. The jurisdiction of the CMB currently extends to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Adygea, and North Ossetia-Alania.
The supreme body of the Caucasus Muslims Board is the Congress of the Muslims of the Caucasus. The 12th Congress of the Muslims of the Caucasus was held in Baku on August 12, 2009.
At the 11th Congress of the Muslims of the Caucasus, held on July 29, 2003, His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade was unanimously elected chairman—Sheikh-ul-Islam—for life. It should be noted that from 1823 to the present day, we have had 12 Sheikh-ul-Islams and 11 Muftis.
Since 2003, when the CIS Inter-religious Council was established, His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has been its co-chairman. The other co-chairman was the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, the late Patriarch Alexy II. Currently, the other co-chairman of the institution is Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
With the initiative and patronage of the institution, the International Peacemaking Forum (2004, Moscow) and Summits of World Religious Leaders in Moscow (2006) and Baku (2010) were held.
The Supreme Religious Council of the Peoples of the Caucasus was founded in Grozny in 1993. The Council, whose idea of creation was put forward by His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, is a reputable institution that jointly represents Muslims, Christians, and Jews living in the Caucasus. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has been the chairman of the Council since its inception.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade is also the chairman of the CIS Muslims Advisory Council, which was founded in Moscow in July 2009, as well as the CMB's Council of Qadis.
The CMB has a wide influence not only in our country but also in the entire Caucasus region and the Islamic world. His Eminence Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade has made great contributions to the board's reputation as an influential institution.
It should also be noted that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, takes a personal interest in the concerns and issues of the Caucasus Muslims Board and provides comprehensive support for its activities.
Currently, the Caucasus Muslims Board is located at 7 Mirza Fatali Street, Baku.