On 13 September, participants of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) visited the tomb of Azerbaijani thinker and scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi and recited prayers for his soul.
As reported by AZERTAC, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, informed the guests about Seyid Yahya Bakuvi and his rich legacy.
It was noted that the tomb, located in the middle courtyard of the Shirvanshahs' Palace Complex, is known among the people as the "Dervish Tomb." Seyid Yahya Bakuvi served as a court scholar during the reign of Shirvanshah Khalilullah I. Having been one of the founders of the Khalwati order, the scholar was buried here after his death by order of Khalilullah I.
It was also noted that Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, who was nurtured in the Azerbaijani school of Sufism, developed and re-established the Khalwati order. From the 15th century onwards, this order gained great influence and became widely spread across the Muslim world. The Sufi-philosophical and literary works written by Seyid Yahya Bakuvi in Turkish, Arabic and Persian have influenced the development of philosophical thought in various countries around the world. Around 30 of his works of a Sufi-mystical character have survived to the present day.
The participants of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of OTS member states also visited the House of Tolerance located in Icherisheher (the Old City).
The guests were informed that this venue, built in the 19th century, demonstrates the coexistence of different religions and cultures in harmony. The House of Tolerance serves to strengthen the concept of tolerance and to highlight the importance of multiculturalism and human rights in modern society. As a platform aligned with the requirements of the modern era while preserving the historic context of Icherisheher, it contributes to passing these values on to future generations.
The guests viewed and received information about exhibits reflecting Azerbaijan's rich traditions of tolerance — religious artefacts, sacred religious texts, ethnographic exhibits, awards belonging to religious leaders, personal gifts and state decorations. They also became acquainted with a photo gallery reflecting the attention and care shown by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva towards the promotion of interfaith dialogue, tolerance and multicultural values in Azerbaijan.
It should be noted that the events held within the framework of the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of OTS member states will bring together around 200 participants from nearly 40 countries and 18 international organisations and centres.