Freedom of religion in Azerbaijan Freedom of religion in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is a multicultural and multi-religious country and a secular country. People of many religions coexist in Azerbaijan. The article 48 of The Constitution of Azerbaijan ensures the right to liberty and people of all faiths may choose and practice their religion without restriction. Article 18 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan states that religion acts separately from the state affairs and the government. People of all beliefs are equal before the law and the propaganda of any religion, including Islam, while majority of the population is Muslim, is still prohibited strictly as a case of
Kist people fighting. Vazha-Pshavela celebrates heroism of both peoples and underlines the senselessness of their conflict. During the Second World War, the Kists were the only Chechens in the Soviet Union who were not deported by Stalin in 1944. During the Second Chechen War, the Kists gave shelter to about 7,000 refugees from Chechnya. The majority of Kists adhere to religion made up of syncretized Sunni Muslim beliefs with animistic folk religion religion. Small pockets of Christian Kists still remain in Pankisi, Tusheti and Kakheti. To this day, the Kists worship the Khevsur sacred places ("jvari") and make sacrifices to the Anatori