BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. Azerbaijan’s
position within the Islamic world is rooted in historical
traditions, national and spiritual values, international
cooperation, and the state’s consistent policy. President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with the Secretary-General of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh
Ahmed, further underscores the international significance of the
country’s efforts to strengthen Islamic solidarity and ensure
lasting peace in the South Caucasus.


During the meeting, the OIC Secretary-General’s expression of
special respect for the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev,
highlighting his exceptional contributions to establishing and
developing relations between Azerbaijan and the organization,
demonstrates that the country’s ties with the Islamic world are
built upon a solid foundation. Furthermore, the characterization of
the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity as a historic event, accompanied by the extension of
congratulations, reflects the importance placed on the state’s
position, which is grounded in international law.


The occupation of Azerbaijani territories throughout Armenia’s
aggression, which lasted for approximately 30 years, was a gross
violation of Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights. During that period, the
OIC firmly condemned the occupation and adopted numerous
resolutions and statements upholding Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity and its just cause. The establishment of a special
Contact Group on Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan within the
framework of the organization served as a concrete example of this
support. Following the resolution of the conflict, this group was
dissolved.


In the phase following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, the OIC adopted documents welcoming the
reconstruction and development efforts underway in the liberated
territories. In September 2021 and September 2023, delegations from
the organization’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission
conducted fact-finding missions in the Aghdam and Fuzuli districts,
as well as Ganja city. The objective of these missions was to
investigate, on-site, the destruction of religious and cultural
monuments and cemeteries belonging to Azerbaijanis by the Armenian
side, and to gather information regarding Azerbaijanis who suffered
as a result of the occupation and missile attacks. Investigating
these facts is of significant importance for conveying the scale of
the destruction to the international community.


The personal efforts, initiatives, and strategic steps taken by
the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, toward establishing
lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus are supported by
the leadership of the OIC. Azerbaijan’s position is that long-term
stability in the region can be achieved through respect for
international law, the recognition of sovereignty, and the
development of inter-state relations based on mutual obligations.
The support demonstrated by the Islamic world in this regard can
contribute to strengthening regional peace.


Azerbaijan’s contributions to Islamic solidarity extend beyond
mere political statements. The OIC was one of the first
international organizations that Azerbaijan joined following the
restoration of its independence, and 2026 will mark the 35th
anniversary of Azerbaijan’s membership in the organization.
Throughout this period, Azerbaijan has consistently supported the
unity of the Islamic world, the preservation of religious and
cultural heritage, the restoration of holy sites, and dialogue
among civilizations. The restoration of destroyed mosques in the
liberated territories, as well as the repair and preservation of
monuments of Islamic culture in foreign countries through the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation, are practical results of this policy.


Azerbaijan's development model also deserves special attention.
The country, while preserving its secular state structure and
modern development direction, demonstrates its commitment to the
spiritual values of Islam. This approach shows that religious
identity and modernity are not contradictory. At the same time,
it’s important for OIC members to take coordinated action to combat
smear campaigns and disinformation directed against the Islamic
world and Azerbaijan. Such cooperation can serve to convey the
truth to the international community and prevent religious
discrimination.


Azerbaijan’s initiatives have also found expression on
international platforms. The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue,
held at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, receives active
support from the OIC. During Azerbaijan’s presidency of the UN
Security Council, a high-level meeting dedicated to strengthening
the partnership between the UN and the OIC, the first of its kind
in UN history, was held on October 28, 2013, at the initiative of
the country. The declaration of 2017 as the "Year of Islamic
Solidarity" in Azerbaijan, along with the hosting of the 4th
Islamic Solidarity Games in May of that same year, also represents
significant steps taken in this direction. At the initiative of the
country, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum and its Eurasian
Regional Center were established in 2004, while the OIC Labour
Centre was founded in Baku in 2023.


Combating Islamophobia is another key issue that Azerbaijan has
brought to the international agenda. Since 2023, international
conferences dedicated to this subject, held under the patronage of
President Ilham Aliyev, have aimed at strengthening the fight
against religious intolerance. Azerbaijan’s initiatives facilitate
the discussion of issues facing the Islamic world on the
international stage and foster the expansion of dialogue among
diverse civilizations.


Azerbaijan’s role within the OIC is set to expand further in the
coming period. The selection of Shusha as the organization’s
Tourism Capital for 2026 is significant, as it represents
international recognition of the historical and cultural importance
of this city liberated from occupation. Furthermore, the hosting of
the 20th session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member
States in Baku in June 2026 underscores the country’s significance
as a platform for cooperation within the organization. Plans are
also in place for Azerbaijan to host the 13th session of the OIC
Conference of Information Ministers on June 1–2, 2027, followed by
the 16th session of the Islamic Summit on June 23–24. In addition
to hosting this summit, Azerbaijan will also assume the
chairmanship of the OIC.


All of this confirms that Azerbaijan’s active stance within the
Islamic world is not a matter of chance, but rather the result of a
long-term and consistent policy. Azerbaijan’s objective, alongside
defending its national interests and international law, is to
strengthen Islamic solidarity, preserve cultural heritage, combat
Islamophobia, and contribute to the establishment of lasting peace
in the region. The support provided by the OIC leadership for the
country’s sovereignty and peace initiatives further underscores the
importance of international cooperation in this regard.