Religion. Azerbaijan is a predominantly Muslim country; more than three-fifths of the population is Shiʿi, and about one-third is Sunni. Members of the Russian Orthodox or Armenian Orthodox Church constitute a very small percentage of the population. Azerbaijan: Religious affiliation Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

What religion is practiced in Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijans population is mostly Shia Muslim. But its government is intensely secular. A lone shop in the centre of Baku, called simply The Muslim Shop, shows how rare the public expression of Islam is in the capital.

Is Azerbaijan a Catholic?

The Catholic Church in Azerbaijan is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. There are about 570 local Catholics in the country as of 2016. Azerbaijan is covered entirely by a single Apostolic Prefecture – Apostolic Prefecture of Baku – since 2011.

Is hijab banned in Azerbaijan?

In late 2010, the Ministry of Education announced a formal ban on wearing hijab in all public schools in Azerbaijan. In explaining the ban, Minister Merdanov referred to the recent changes to the Law on Education.

Where do Azeri people come from?

The Azerbaijani are of mixed ethnic origin, the oldest element deriving from the indigenous population of eastern Transcaucasia and possibly from the Medians of northern Persia. This population was Persianized during the period of the Sāsānian dynasty of Iran (3rd–7th century ce).