The Jerusalem Post: Rabbi shows interfaith relations in Azerbaijan at Religious Freedom Forum on Capitol Hill

Published: 2026-07-21 13:20

"Rabbi Zamir Isayev, head of Baku's Sephardi Jewish community, described religious life in Azerbaijan at a religious freedom forum held on Capitol Hill. He contrasted Jewish life in Azerbaijan with the insecurity experienced by Jewish communities in parts of Europe, arguing that Jews in Azerbaijan are able to express both their religious identity and their loyalty to the country without facing accusations of divided allegiance: 'A person should not have to choose between religious identity and loyalty to the country, a Muslim should not become less Muslim by respecting a synagogue. A Jew should not become less Jewish by loving and serving his country. A Christian should not have to choose between devotion to faith and national identity'. Isayev added that Azerbaijan has developed a model in which religious identity and national loyalty are not treated as competing commitments, " The Jerusalem Post reports.

By Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance Global News