Azerbaijan, Baku, May 18 /Trend, K.Zarbaliyeva/
Unlike the Georgians living in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia face serious problems in the religious sphere, chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan Hidayat Orujov said at a meeting with the special representative of the Patriarch of Georgia, Bishop Arkady Khachidze.
According to him, these problems still exist, and the Azerbaijanis living in Georgia are seriously concerned about creating a structure called the "Department of Muslims of Georgia".
"For us it is an unexpected event, and we are seriously concerned. I would like you to present to the attention of the Patriarch Ilia II our concern on this issue," said Orujov.
According to him, the Azerbaijanis in Georgia also protest against the installation of crosses in the villages, which historically populated by Azerbaijanis.
According to Orujev, he discussed this issue during his visit in 2009 at meetings with the Georgian Patriarch, senior Georgian officials and the governor of Kvemo-Kartli region David Kirkitadze.
Despite promises to solve the problem, no serious steps have been taken.
The meeting also discussed bilateral religious ties, the state of the Georgian Orthodox churches in Azerbaijan, the activity of religious communities and other issues.
According to Orujov, all conditions are created in Azerbaijan for the activities of the Georgian Orthodox communities like other faiths, and there are no problems in this regard.
According to Orujov, Azerbaijan non-Muslim religious communities are entitled to obey to centers located abroad.
According to him, clerics, appointed from overseas centers, operate in these communities.
"There are no restrictions for any community in this regard. Even the minority religious communities operate in this way," said Orujov.