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On October 16, the republican scientific-practical conference on "Modern religious education models in the context of traditions and global challenges" held jointly by the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology and the Foundation for the Propagation of Moral Values, continued its work with panels.
The first panel titled "Religious education in Azerbaijan: from the past to the present" moderated by Anar Gafarov, head of the Religious Studies Department of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, discussed the topics of analysis of religious knowledge in high school textbooks, perspectives of religious education in the context of interreligious dialogue. Elnura Azizova, the dean of the theology faculty of the institute, Mammadali Babashli, the head of the East-West department of the Ziya Bunyadov Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS, and Elnur Mustafayev, the head of the religion and public opinion department, made speeches. Later, proposals were voiced about thoroughly researching the existing religious education in Azerbaijan, uncovering problems and investigating their causes.
The II panel of the conference is devoted to the topic "Actual issues of religious education in a secular state". In the panel moderated by Ilkin Alimuradov, the head of the Department of Languages and Social Sciences of the Institute, the reports of Mirniyaz Mursalov, vice-rector for science and innovations of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, Anar Gurbanov, the director of the Zagatala Islamic College, and Alizade Najafov, the head of the Karabakh and East Zangezur regional department of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations, were heard. Teaching of the Holy Qur'an in theological faculties, the need for a non-sectarian approach in teaching religion, as well as the historical issues of the development of madrasa education were touched upon.
Elnura Azizova, dean of the theology faculty of the Institute, moderated the III panel on "Religious education in Islamic geography: tradition and modern challenges". Aynur Israfilova, chief adviser of the State Committee on Work with Religious Institutions, Aslan Habibov, leading researcher of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after academician Ziya Bunyadov of ANAS, Faig Ahmadzade, deputy director of Baku Theological College, Shahin Khanjanov, teacher of Shaki Islamic College, Emin, doctoral student of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of ANAS Orujov, in the service of the vice-president of the Humanities Department of the Office of the Presidium senior specialist Zeynab Hajamova shared their views on the topic. The importance of religious education, the existing model of religious education in Azerbaijan, the role of religious education in the formation of a multicultural and tolerant environment, as well as the models of religious education in neighboring countries were discussed.
In the last panel dedicated to the topic of "Religious upbringing, religious education and religious teaching", Ahmad Niyazov, head of the Institute's Islamic studies department, Ali Farhadov, leading researcher of the National Museum of Azerbaijan History, Aliya Mursalova, a teacher of the Department of Religious Studies of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, senior scientist of the Sheki Regional Scientific Center of ANAS employee Aladdin Sultanov, teacher of Zagatala Islamic College Safa Muradov, Education coordinator of Youth Aid Fund Rufat Shirinov performed. The panel moderated by Asaf Ganbarov, the deputy dean of the theology faculty of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, discussed the history of religions, the place of Arabic language teaching in religious education in Azerbaijan, and other issues.
At the end of the conference, Rector of Azerbaijan Institute of Theology Agil Shirinov took a speech. At the end, certificates were presented to the speakers.
